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JIMMY BYRNE



Mary kept the house in order
but Jimmy had a free hand in the garden
growing flowers and vegetables year after year
onions, leaks and potatoes
Sharp’s Express, Kerr’s Pinks.

I’d go home on Sunday
with rhubarb, carrots, tomatoes
that came to 'fruition' in the greenhouse
At his gate, my grandfather
would wave a long goodbye.

He sat thoughtful in his chair
when 'Talk-In Sunday' was on
callers airing their views
Mary got impatient when Jimmy aired his
in the middle of the bowls
the tennis and golf.

He liked a bottle of Old English sherry
and two cans of Tennent’s lager
when watching the horse-racing on a Saturday
When I introduced him to Pernod
I almost knocked him off his horse;
he drank the whole bottle
on top of his usual bevvy
ending up in hospital
with a very sore stomach.

Years later, his time came.
I sat by the bed, he was proud-looking
but dead. I cried, then left.