We’re Missing you John…
A Poem by Nora Masterson
We see him standing at the back of St. Ambrose hall,
Young and old for a Ceili, Maggie Cleary gives the call.
John steps out for a waltz or two,
With a pretty girl from Omagh,
Who has a mother’s love that’s true.
He might try a Siege of Ennis, or a Haymaker’s Jig,
But when it came to six hand reels, his desire wasn’t big.
We’re missing you John, we miss having you around,
We’re dancing for you John, listen to the sound.
Little Sister Maura joined the Ceili Team
We all got to know the family, a real Irish dream,
Dick, Annie, John and Matthew, Rich and Maura too,
We owe you a big thank you, it’s long overdue.
You opened up your hearts to Irish dancers many,
Those from Pasadena, Mayo, Cork and Kilkenny,
Parties, feises, ceilis, don’t forget the Irish Fair,
Graduations, weddings, barbecues, what a joy to be there.
We’re missing you John, we miss having you around,
We’re dancing for you John, listen to the sound.
John helped Dick and Annie at the Irish Import Shop,
He worked hard at Pep Boys, his giving never stopped,
When his family came from Ireland to visit LA,
John played “Tour Guide” and showed them the way.
Some of us had to leave the Irish Ceili scene,
Then Set Dancing took off, thanks to Michael Breen,
Yvonne Fleury kept John’s calendar full,
They shared a love and understanding, rare like a jewel.
We’re missing you John, we miss having you around,
We’re dancing for you John, listen to the sound.
John’s siblings got married, and all moved away,
They now make their homes near San Francisco Bay.
Kara, Emmet, and Tess make their grandparents proud,
As do Brendan, Margaret, and Marla, a real Irish crowd.
Dick and Annie travel a road filled with love,
Now John can keep an eye on them, from heaven above,
We’re missing you John, we miss having you around,
We’re dancing for you John, listen to the sound.
-With love from Nora
September 26, 2008
