When People Ask Michael Kelleher

When people ask Michael Kelleher where he is from his usual reply Is far north of this Land as the migratory bird does fly Claraghatlea in Duhallow near the Town of Millstreet A short walk through the fields to where the rivers do meet With children and grandchildren to Rosemary his Australian wife He has lived in Australia for more than two thirds of his life They now live in San Remo in South Gippsland by the Pacific shore South of Claraghatlea by eighteen thousand kilometers or more The Duhallow accent he was born into he does retain And perhaps with him it will remain For as long as he live till his last night and day His accent with him it is destined to stay His heritage Michael Kelleher does never deny In Claraghatlea he first looked on the sun and the moon and the stars of the sky In the school yard in Millstreet Town he played games with his friends as a boy As a young fellow a carefree existence he did enjoy Michael Kelleher often talks of his friends in and near Millstreet Town Where he used to live when his hair was light brown And though he lives far south of old Clara today The good memories of his younger years with him stay.