That Mary Duffy One Poem by Martin Swords

Mary Duffy.
I hate that Mary Duffy one,
full of airs and graces,
with her shiny angel dress
and flappy wings.
I’ve only a brown shepherd
thing, borrowed from my
sister, fat Margaret,
huge, tied with a rope.
And a tea towel.


And she’s always first
at sums with her “Miss,
Miss, Miss”, hand in the air.
She’s got coloured crayons
too, in a glittery plastic box.
I’ve only a short brown
pencil. And I never put
my hand up for adding
or taking away, hidin’
down in the back row.


My brother Martin says
the Duffys always kept
pigs.
And smelled.
That makes me happy,
But I still hate
that Mary Duffy one.



Assumpta Swords.
Second Class


October 2006