Where Once Was Beauty Poem by Francis Duggan

In mini wood just out of Millstreet Town
The tree creepers were running up and down
The tree trunks as they searched for insect prey
Their habits never changed from day to day.

And chaffinch built her nest there in the Spring
And every day her pink breasted mate did sing
His chaffinch song proclaiming territory
On higher branch of old horse chestnut tree.

And little stream that flow through Claraghatlea
Down by the wood it wound it's downland way
And by that stream the bird with snow white breast
The water loving dipper built her nest.

In dark pond in the wood towards end of May
The moorhen chicks were swimming every day
Their mother watching from the reeds nearby
Would call to them if she sensed danger was nigh.

Though Mother Nature i have never fully understood
I learnt my first lessons from her in that little wood
Till to my favourite spot near Millstreet Town
The Council workers came and cut all the trees down.

They cut down the trees for to widen the roadway
And where once was beauty only see decay
And i cling to the fading memory
Of that once safe haven for the wild and free.