Sunday 27 October 2013

Holy Night

Scapulars in place
wimples under chin
Do I need a breastplate?
Yes, guimopes are in.
Is a veil part of the vow
or should we all don coronets?
Don't forget your shoes now,
sensible is best.

A couple lost a son
and Christy Walsh did undertake
to inspire everyone
to support a record break.
Not only did they do it
but he also got two fines
for serving fifteen hundred sisters
after legal closing time.

I can't help but feel annoyed:
Were there not any other sins
to keep the guards employed
during the nuns' well-deserved lock-ins?

(Explanation: Christy Walsh, a Listowel publican, ran Nunday on 30th June 2012. Over 1400 people dressed in full nun's habit turned out and broke a world record. A Co. Kerry family had lost their son to suicide and Walsh organised the event to raise funds for Pieta House. The celebrations went on past closing time and Walsh's pub was raided twice by the guards resulting in his being fined.
Inspired by: allvoices.com article)

Friday 25 October 2013

Artistic Licence

The TV licence is only for mugs
sure it's all ads unless you have Sky.
A driver's licence is simply a joke
when petrol costs are so high.
A dog licence is a nuisance
it takes forever to get
(Why does it have to be handwritten,
do they know it's just for your pet?)
Give me a few hours rest
locked away from the noise and the fuss;
Let me serve out some time as your guest,
where I won't have to cook, wash or dust.
While I'm there you can give me three grand
and write off my debts if you please
and I can be safe in the knowledge
that artistic licence is all that I need.

(Explanation: Raimie Leahy is a Kilkenny artist. He served a few hours in prison because of an outstanding parking fine of €270 in August 2013. He had paid the fine by cheque but because the cheque was made out for €290.00 it wasn't cashed so the fine remained outstanding. The fine was written off after the jail time was served. Today one of Leahy's paintings hangs in the Garda Station where he served his time after the OPW paid €3000 for it.
Inspired by: Kilkenny People Article)