I take a stroll among my flowers of memory.
The door I close upon the present with its woes and joys.
I wander on and on.
To fields far off and years long gone;
Through many a gate and many a door.
I pass where oft’ I passed of yore.
And on and on through scenes that smiled.
Upon me when I was a child
The winds of recollection raise.
The curtain o’er departing days.
Down boreens of the past awhile
I chase a face and haunting smile.
An unforgotten form I greet.
With fond caress and kisses sweet
But there alas were tear-drops too.

Thus, olden friendships I renew
Hurrying here, delaying there.
For something dear or sweet or fair.
Thus pictures come; thus pictures pass –
Like sun and shadow o’er the grass.

MICHAEL MULLIN, ‘The Bard of Foremass,
Foremass Lower, Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.
Won 7/6 -2nd place

I dreamt last night the dream of youth
I hoped youth’s hope again;
The dream of innocence and truth,
The hope so high and vain.

I woke to find that Time is still
A forward flowing stream;
That pauses at no obstacle,
And dallies for no dream.

Old Father Time has turned the years
Like pages of a book;
And now a river wide appears
What once appeared a brook.

But though I cannot stop the stream
Which sweeps me out to sea,
I still can dream the golden dream
That brings back youth to me.

MICHAEL MULLIN, ‘THE BARD OF FOREMASS’
Foremass Lower, Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.

Won in Independent 1pound 10 shillings
See also Irish Weekly Independent – January 22 – 1959

Long years I sought, without success
The key to the house of happiness.
I thought this key should be the same
As keys which open doors of fame
And wealth and power. I tried each but
The door of happiness stayed shut.

As years rolled by I tried again
With other keys; but tried in vain.
At last I found the only key
Which worked.  It is called charity.
And this key opens wide the door
Of happiness, now and evermore.

MICHAEL MULLIN, ‘THE BARD OF FOREMASS’
Foremass Lower, Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.

Charity – love