Ah, Jesus, Francis, not the eyes, not the eyes. Mother of Christ,
youre too young for that.
Mr.Timoney, would you like me to read to you?
With them eyes, Francis? Ah, no, son, Save the eyes. Im beyond
reading.In my head I have everything I need.I was smart enough to put
things in my head in my youth and now I have a library in my head.
The English shot my wife. The Irish put down my poor innocent
Macushla. Isnt it a joke of a world?
Mam says,Terrible world but God is good.
Indeed, missus. God made the world, its a terrible world, but God
is good. Good-bye, Francis. Rest your eyes and then read till they fall
out of your head.We had good times with old Jonathan Swift,didnt we,
Francis?
We did, Mr.Timoney.
Mam takes me back to the eye ward. She tells me, Dont be crying
over Mr.Timoney, hes not even your father. Besides youll be ruining
your eyes.
Seamus comes to the ward three times a week and brings new
poems in his head. He says,You made Patricia sad, Frankie, when you
didnt like the one about the owl and the pussycat.
Im sorry, Seamus.
I have it in my head, Frankie, and Ill say it for you if you dont say
tis foolish.
I wont, Seamus.
He says the poem and everyone in the ward loves it.They want the
words and he says it three more times till the whole ward is saying,
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat.
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are.
What a beautiful Pussy you are.
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