The h2g2 Poem
Created | Updated Nov 5, 2007
Billy Boy
I heard an Irish tune, and then
Suddenly I was young again.
As memories washed over me
Like massive waves do from the sea.
Are ye still alive, Billy boy?
Do ye still carouse and search for joy?
For solace that ye'll never find?
For peace and shelter from yer mind?
We were bad for each other, and yet
I felt more alive the times we met.
A darkened beast down in my soul
Awoke and slunk out from his hole.
We raised the divvil, you and I
And never cared what evil eye
We got from those who frowned upon
Our ways and actions 'ere anon.
We both were tryin' to make do
With what fate dealt to me and you.
Me with no future and not a plan,
You haunted by your past in 'Nam.
Are ye still alive, Billy boy?
Do ye still carouse and search for joy?
For solace that ye'll never find?
For peace and shelter from yer mind?
Sometimes we had to save each other,
Give each his shelter like a brother,
I still recall times we stood fast
Against the odds and still stood last!
But I've two boys now I cannot tell
How we raised such holy hell.
For I don't want them on the sod
That you and I so boldly trod.
But still I think of you some days
And wonder how, with our wild ways,
Fearless of all, and each other too,
Did we ever make it to twenty-two?
No matter. We did and we drifted apart.
We had to because we knew in our heart
That we never would get to twenty-three
If we stuck together, you and me.
Are ye still alive, Billy boy?
Do ye still carouse and search for joy?
For solace that ye'll never find?
For peace and shelter from yer mind?
