Notes From A Hard School

Notes From A Hard School 

By Paul Mc Cann .

Below zero on the site carrying bricks  ,

but nothing  a glass of Irish couldn’t fix . 

The testing of metal in your blood and bones

starts at an early age , in family homes .

Everyday , stewed tea

with stale bread and rolled oats .

Lessons of a hard old school ,

I made these notes .

There’s always somebody

worse off than yourself .

As long as you ‘re fit for work

and in good  health ,

you’ll be ok to  earn your pay

and get by .

You can look the world in the eye .

Be happy with who you are and 

what you do .

So when the cold wind comes

to cut you in two 

and when those who stood beside  you

have all gone,

you’ll be the one strong enough

to carry on .