My Grandma was Irish, her name was Catherine (Kitty) Kelly and she arrived in NYC in 1902 when she was sixteen--all alone. She had that inbred Irish wisdom many of the Irish have and a wonderful way of communicating it. I remember her vividly as if she were still with me. My memory of the many pearls of wisdom she told me, during the few years I had her, all came in short sentences. I’ve tried to gather them into a sort of poem to the best of my remembrance
I never found out what a ragamuffin was until long after Grandma was gone.
Advice from Grandma
(Ragamuffin)
(Ragamuffin)
Beware of those with their heads below their shoulders,
watch out for the ones with them up in the clouds,
mind those who flatter and disguise what they are about,
keep clear of all deplorable rogues of deception,
you’ll recognize them when they open their mouths.
Trust no one and fear the worst that can happen,
beware of lingering louts over your left shoulder,
find the object of your flame of passion,
hold on tight and continue to grow bolder.
If you’re a painter go after that masterpiece
a dancer? then tango across your map of life
or sing your song whatever it be, loud and clear
let it ring all the way to down-under from here.
When you’ve married sometime off in the future
and committed yourself to the one you’ll call dear
your children shall be your grandest gifts from nature
They’re yours for a moment keep them from fear
cherish their lives encourage and nurture
Try not to splinter when the thunder claps,
banish your shyness don’t cut with your rage
or get drowned in the tide of fanciful traps
but play your music and fill up your page.
Some things are precious don’t take them lightly
empathy and love are paramount for the soul
keep your heart open let it shine brightly
without these things the spirit will wither and fold
bestow of them freely beginning today
love is the most difficult to give away
if you do these things the most scrumptious passions
will all come rumbling and tumbling your way
and you will be fine my little ragamuffin.
“What’s a ragamuffin, Grandma?”
Copyright 2012 Dennis John Ferado
watch out for the ones with them up in the clouds,
mind those who flatter and disguise what they are about,
keep clear of all deplorable rogues of deception,
you’ll recognize them when they open their mouths.
Trust no one and fear the worst that can happen,
beware of lingering louts over your left shoulder,
find the object of your flame of passion,
hold on tight and continue to grow bolder.
If you’re a painter go after that masterpiece
a dancer? then tango across your map of life
or sing your song whatever it be, loud and clear
let it ring all the way to down-under from here.
When you’ve married sometime off in the future
and committed yourself to the one you’ll call dear
your children shall be your grandest gifts from nature
They’re yours for a moment keep them from fear
cherish their lives encourage and nurture
Try not to splinter when the thunder claps,
banish your shyness don’t cut with your rage
or get drowned in the tide of fanciful traps
but play your music and fill up your page.
Some things are precious don’t take them lightly
empathy and love are paramount for the soul
keep your heart open let it shine brightly
without these things the spirit will wither and fold
bestow of them freely beginning today
love is the most difficult to give away
if you do these things the most scrumptious passions
will all come rumbling and tumbling your way
and you will be fine my little ragamuffin.
“What’s a ragamuffin, Grandma?”
Copyright 2012 Dennis John Ferado
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, SP & many other fellow Poets out here who find peace with expression. Words are powerful and because you took the time to share your thoughts here remember you're making a difference. Use your Voice to give back to the world!
Much <3 SP