On The Mall- Waterford Poem by Bernard Kennedy

'I have often walked on that street before', that song-
When I hear it calls me back, the Tower, bookstore, pharmacy,
Medical Hall, the Dunmore Road, to escape and County hill to look down.
It was the sixties, 'She loves you', I asked my father the best view,
he pointed down to the city from the hill at the station.
Sunday was rain, and empty streets, not quite coming down from Lebanon.
Decades later repaveing Quays and Barron Strand,
now shopping street,
where on the Mall Wadding moves to church in friars, and Meagher, with his sword points the way. I have often walked. Living City.

A century ago the ships came and now Cunard comes in,
Tall ships regatta, King George, Edward, Richard and later royals,
the Prince of Wales to Lismore. I have often walked.Imperial City.
Roberts, your stonework stands like a parthenon,
and Balfe, dreaming in marble Halls, and vintage tea rooms for tea and memory of schooners. Ballast of history, I have often walked romantic city.

Beneath nostalgia is buried memory and renovation to newness,
on the Mall I have often walked, historic city.