i
Bathykolpian Clem
for a modest fee
sang Ave Maria at weddings
her chords vibrato
swelled fructus ventris
pierced bridesmaid hymens
rode the saturday bus to town
to duet with a shopkeeper friend
honey lozenges how’s your father
and five quid parting stipend
Clementine dear
i love ya queer
in your see-thru nightie
and when the moonlight spills
on those silver hills
Oh Sweet JC Almighty!
in rut boys intoned
ogled her smalls on the washing line
milked by hand
the nourishments of her blouse
came in old socks
kept clean sheets
ii
calf tongue on fingers
glasspaper percussion
cut pullet necks
scarlet pizzicato
kittens in potato sacks
sang dirges in the barrel
iii
Annie Mangan’s hooked a man
with land and a two-storey
they say he’ll marry her
in the spring
Annie with the gammy leg?
it’s not for runnin’ he wants her
close enough good enough
sow boar mare entire
ewe docked for the ram
bright and dull feathered cock and hen
‘i love you because…’
was Jim Reeves only
johnpoetflanagan 
Captured the feel here, I think, John. Cleverly intoned.
Chris, Friend
Thank You for your great support
Always
john
“Naughty” bits entirely in good place
Thank You
Dear Ina
always here for me
Much love
john
xx
Smiles!!
Love,
Holly
Thank You
Friend Holly
Big hugs
john
My pleasure!
John, it’s been too way too long. This is absolutely great. Just when I was a tad concerned that I was getting too far out there I come on this and feel validated. La Belle posted an interview piece with me and I only put twelve hours into it and “knocked it out of the park” as we say here in the colonies ` Kindest Regards, Duke
You’re so right, Duke,
far too long.
Wonderful to hear from you and to hear of you and LaBelle doing an interview. Way to go!
i miss you and her and many others on AD but ‘they’ don’t want me there
any more so to hell with them.
i’m about to start a book so i’ll not be blogging for some months
but more on that next week.
Always
Your Friend
john
ps: LOVE the ‘colonies’ remark
one of the best of the best…County Music is everything..
Mihran
Thank you so much
Best Always
john
Love the use of bathykolpian,sounds so much more refined than big-boobed.
Hugs
David
Thank you for that comment, i appreciate it very much
Big hugs
john
Love learning new words – not sure where I will use bathykolpian though! Country music – one of my favorite genres! So glad you mentioned Jim Reeves. Wonderful post!
Noelle
Thank you very much indeed.
The music was not the expected kind but then Irish country ‘music’ was a tough place to be.
Big hugs
john
Brother John – Think you’ve covered most of the themes of country music here, country Ireland. Can’t quote all my favorite lines, but especially liked the humor in the lines:
they say he’ll marry her
in the spring
Annie with the gammy leg?
it’s not for runnin’ he wants her
Brother David
Thank you very much for liking and appreciating Irish country ‘music’; there was and perhaps there still is very little ‘romance’ in life there, all is harsh reality and any pretence at or effort made to ‘romance the stone’ is looked down upon and often sneered at but behind the tough exterior beat genuinely good hearts.
Much love to You and Diane
john
This all rings true. I grew up on some of Jimmy Reeves…
Tom
Thank you very much for reading and responding
Best Always
john
Country music and country life as it is. Love the humor 🙂
Best wishes!
Inese
Hope you are doing well, John.
Best wishes!
Inese
Where art thou ,, i pray you are doing well
regards
Fais
Folk music holds a unique allure for me. I don’t know why but it moves me spiritually. I suppose it is as you say, much of it is based on the challenges of a hard rural life. Your poem reminds me of a life and time long ago. Don’t know how I missed this for four months! Ever your friend, Jon Michael