Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page

Popular solo performer Pete Duffy has been doing the rounds of the music circuit for longer than anyone cares to admit remembering.

Pete, who originates from Cork City's Northside, is very quick to remind us what life was like, when he was growing up in Cork, fifty years ago.

Last February Pete became a member of the Douglas Writers' Group and we got to see a very different side of this well know entertainer.

Not alone is he a musician, he is also a short story writer and has recently released a nostalgic orientated CD, called "Stories from Cork", all written and read by Pete himself.

This week Pete has suprised us with one of his poems, in true balladeer style he unmasks, a familiar ignorance and injustice that is sometimes mistaken for progress.

They Couldn't See The View

They chopped a tree, the other day.
They butchered it, in every way.
Where once was life, will be decay,
'Cause they couldn't see the view.

And now I see, there's only space.
Where stood a tree, in all its grace.
And they'll just say 'twas in our face
And we couldn't see the view.

A tree that stood, year after year.
Long, long, before houses were there,
And now it's gone, beyond repair.
'Cause they couldn't see the view.

If everyone, chops down a tree,
'Cause they can't see the scenery,
Then all that's left for you and me,
Is an artificial view.

© Pete Duffy