Mick Sugrue Poem by Francis Duggan

In the nineteen fifties in Duhallow when times were quite hard
On his bicycle door to door salesman Mick Sugrue used to sell meat by the yard
To the woman who complained to him his meat had too many bones
His reply was expect this when you buy meat when you buy earth you buy stones

An aging tall slightly built fellow always wearing a hat
He used to say on door to door meat sales one never does grow fat
A witty old fellow with words he had a way
Of great characters like he was there are not many today

People like he was deserve to be remembered in story and song
With meat sacks on his handlebars and carrier he pedaled along
On a hard way to earn a living in times That were tough
But the genial Mick with persuasive sales skills to the task good enough

A marvelous old character with a great turn of phrase
There are not many like he was in Duhallow nowadays
One of the most memorable of people i knew as a boy
Good memories do live on as a source of joy

Of the witty door to door meat salesman quite quick on the tongue
In the place that i lived in when i was young
From one of Duhallow's most memorable characters Mick Sugrue the gift of life may be long gone
But good memories of the man he was does live on.