Kathleen’s Secret

Cherry

By Turlough

Mon, 02 Dec 2024
  • 374 reads
13 comments
 

 

Kathleen’s Secret

 

Round and broad and black and flat

Each Sunday on her head it sat

Moth-eaten and it smelt of cat

Kathleen Lally’s ecclesial hat

 

An accessory at every Holy Mass

On seeing herself in the looking glass

She felt refined, a touch of class

Other congregants could never surpass

 

She’d wear it also to confession

For fashion’s sake she’d try to freshen

It up with a Brillo to make an impression

When recounting her sins to Father Brennan

 

In Corinthians she had oft-times read

A woman should have a covered head

For receiving wine and communion bread

And praying for the needy, the sick and the dead

 

Neighbours thought her too devout

Wearing that hat every time she went out

Words of scorn were what they’d shout

But her steadfastness was never in doubt

 

Miss Foley said a hat’s not needed

She’d said the Pope in Rome decreed it

Advice that Kathleen hadn’t heeded

Afraid they’d see her hair receded

 

Prepared for when she’d meet her maker

She’d written a note to the undertaker

Give me my hat or some hair that’s fake or

The saints will know I’m a prevaricator

 

At Glenariffe church where her body lies

Father Brennan smiles with Irish eyes

He’d looked it up and to his surprise

To be bald is just grand, so the Bible implies

 

Image:

My own picture. It’s not Kathleen’s gravestone but I can imagine she has one very similar.

Certificate 12
Poem
Poetry in Commotion
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by seashore on

Good to see you back.
So poor Kathleen's request was not granted? My Sarah already has instructions re my hair as you can imagine.
Nice one Terry x

Submitted by Turlough on

Would that be part of the Share the Hair scheme?

Kind words our Coral... thanks for that.

Tx

Turlough

Submitted by Turlough on

Thank you for the cherries Missus. Ms or Mister Ed.

Turlough

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

For fashion’s sake she’d try to freshen

It up with a Brillo to make an impression

lines that needed to be written! Well done turlough and well deserved cherries. Seashore I hope your hair is still that lovely shade of ... pink?

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I've heard the pink comes from the soap in Seashore's Brillo pad.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You bring Kathleen to life with your accomplished description of her and skilful rhythm and rhyme. I did feel sorry for her with receding hair, that's the one thing I dread as I get older...including going bald. surprise I can't believe how much of my hair came out when in hospital, because I couldn't use conditioner, it was a right mess, but thankfully all is restored now. smiley

Glad to see you back writing again Turlough.

Jenny.

 

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Thanks very much Jenny.

I shave my head once a fortnight to disquise the fact that I'm thinning on top but that approach might not work for you. 

My surname is Mullan, which is an anglicised version of Ó Maoláin, which is an old Irish name meaning 'bald'. So I suppose I was doomed to this. 

It's always nice to hear from you. I hope your health continues to improve.

Turlough

Submitted by celticman on

to be bald is not grand, but then again I'm a married man, where a poor boy, or a hairless woman, a hat would be like a toupee for a new me.  

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I get your drift CM, but I often wonder what went on at Kojak's funeral.

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

A deftly crafted elegy of sorts. I imagine this was a real person?

There's a lot going on between these lines underpinned by your trademark humour. I could touch and feel the conflicting emotions largely driven by religious undertones.

That's a skilful poem right there, Turlough.

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Aye, a real person Paul, and a real hat. But, in true Glens of Antrim style, I suspect most of the story was a collection of figments of imaginations.

The religion was there too but the Undertones didn't arrive on the scene until the late seventies.

Many thanks to you for reading and commenting.

Turlough

Submitted by airyfairy on

Never mind last rites - when I go I want last highlights with full conditioner and head massage. I'm assuming I'm going downstairs, and I don't think they're much with the personal grooming. Get it while you can.

Great poem. Thanks for the chuckle.

Submitted by Turlough on

That'll by why yer man the Divvil always seems to be wearing a hat in his pictures.

Knowing I raised a chuckle there raises a big smile here.

Ta very much AF!

Turlough