Annie Doherty

Lifford, Ireland

I am a housewife and mother of six and a soon-to-be grandmother. My children's names are Brian, Martin, Anthony, Annette, Patrick, and Michael. My husband is Patrick Doherty, we have been married 28 years. I belong to the Legion of Mary, a society which strives to promote love and devotion to the mother of God. I am also in the process of becoming a member of a local arts group which is starting up in our area ( something in which we were in very bad need of). I started writing about 4 years ago and hope to continue for the rest of my life if possible, as it is something which gives me great pleasure. My hobbies are reading, gardening, watching TV and having a good old natter with friends.

Bon Appetit

My starving brain must feed
So I'm compelled to read
On the food of words it's keen
Be it book, newspaper or magazine.
Glimpsed unread words are caught in minds synthesiser
Becoming an instant appetiser
World news and events from any source
Are always hailed as the main course
With numerous tempting side dishes of books by the score
Including history, drama, fiction and lots more
And of course for the fruit of the vine
The classics of poetry make the headiest wine
Wit, humour, and speculation are for dessert
Especially when accompanied by pictures of handsome men and ladies pert
For flavouring and spice there's the gossip columns fiction or fact
And even some totally lacking in tact
The meals perfectly finished off by lively discussion
Which exercises the brain in stimulating percussion.

The Shirt

When I saw the forgotten shirt
(My God how it hurt)
Lying there slightly crumpled on the floor
As if you'd just removed it minutes before
You've been gone so long
I thought that I'd got strong
How could I have missed it before
Did you leave it behind deliberately as you walked out the door?
Did you somehow contrive to make it fall
Down behind the dressing table and wall
Knowing it I would some day find
And the finding would upset my mind
As I pick it up I can smell even yet
Your aftershave and yes your sweat
Could it possibly be because
Cruelly renewed heartache you wanted to cause
By bringing back memories of what it had cost
To finally admit that to me you were lost
Knowing it would bring back memories of when you were there
In this now lonely bedroom which we both used to share
For it conjured up your image as if you were here
Standing before me familiar and dear
Or was it a symbol as if to say
Part of you still wanted to stay
Were any of these thoughts in your mind.
When you walked out of my life leaving your shirt behind
Or did you just misplace it in the rush to go
I don't suppose I'll ever know.