Train to Sligo.

 Train to Sligo


Coming up to Christmas

As regular as clockwork 

The sisters travelled on the train

From Connolly to McDermott

Or as advertised MacDiarmada

As Iaranrod Eireann faithfully 

Catered to the one percent

Who spoke Gaelic fluently. 

Lily and Maureen armed with presents

For their siblings up in Castle Street. 


We rendezvoused in Churchtown

When stars were in the skies

Before the milkman called

Before the postman too. 

A welcome breakfast in the North Star

Before heading for the platform

Up ho into the carriage

Lots of chat for them to manage. 

Then after work I’d pick mum up

While Norman did the same

Back to Landscape for a tea

A short debrief then off I went. 


These ladies of the second decade

Of the twentieth century

Never strayed from their birth place

Or their kindred back home. 

All the photos monochrome 

All the memories dear 

Of the sisters who always travelled

When Advent turned the corner. 

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