I know he’s not a tiger…but he thinks he’s a tiger! And he has stolen from us… our hearts!
Beware the celtic tiger,
Who roamed the Emerald Isle,
Lifting peoples fortunes, as it
walked around, in style!
An actress, this imposter,
Who stole the cinema screen,
And lifted peoples’ spirits
til it as suddenly, disappeared!
Bereft, the Irish bankers
Pulled out all the stops
Without a thought of honesty
They shut down all our little shops.
Peoples spirits, that once lifted,
by this banker-tiger coalition
Now sleep in doorways,
Mourning, dreams denied fruition
And alas, the housing crisis
Now roams the Emerald Isle,
While 10,300 innocent families
Suffer all the while…
Corrupt politicians & bankers
Laugh, as they fill you with a pile
Of broken hopeless promises
whilst they wine & dine in style!
(“… there has been a rapid increase in the number of families becoming homeless, and in April 2019, there were 1,729 families accessing emergency accommodation. This includes 3,794 children.)
Hi... failte (Irish for welcome! and pronounced fall-thhha).
I'm a newbie to blogging, here just over a year, but what a great year it has been!
I've turned the corner to 50 recently and two things become more relevant...time and experiences!
Material possessions are less important! Using time wisely and truly experiencing each day holds a new significance for me!
If you wish..., a little of the back story...
I''m blessed to be married to a kind and loving man for 28 years, we have two children now 19 and 21.
As I approached 40 and searching for something more, whilst holding down my then part-time legal secretarial work, I trained as a voluntary adult literacy tutor, with the hope of helping adults improve their literacy skills and have a second, and better experience of learning!
However, little did I think that wanting to help others improve their lives would see my own life improve beyond measure also!
You see for years I found it difficult to know what to do as I watched our two children suffer at the hands of bullies. Their struggle began to change when I returned to education! Through education I slowly gained valuable knowledge, I grew in confidence and self-esteme and it had a ripple effect!
By 2014, aged 47 I had completed a Higher Certificate in Literacy Development and a B.A. in Adult Education. I love my work as an adult educator, particularly when adults trust me enough to let down their defences and 'let me in'. Then I can help them by getting to know what makes them 'tic' and what 'lights their fire!'.
As an added bonus along the way I've realised that I also have a love of writing and that writing is cathartic (providing psychological relief through written expression of built up emotions), both for my students and myself. This blog enables me to pursue that new-found interest and I've really enjoying reading your blogs, sharing comments, getting to know so many people and gaining new perspectives. I also like to share any little 'gems' of learning I've gathered along the way!
Thanks for sharing your stories and for helping me realise that it is all possible...and that together we write a truly better story!
Much love,
Marie x
you used these prompts well … his stolen my heart and that’s from only one pic, what a face!
This homelessness and the gap between the haves and have nots is widening everywhere … and when people become desperate they take desperate measures … these arrogant greedy ones need to be very wary …
It was a bit of a struggle to begin with but I was glad I stuck with it Kate. Social unrest is inevitable and voices will eventually become more powerful.
True Len! The private rental market is thriving and at bursting point here and provision of new social housing schemes, practically unheard of since the tiger died, leaving a big gap in the market.
Our four legged fur angels tend to steal our Hearts, don’t they, Marie? As for homelessness ….. it’s shocking just how many people there are without a home. I have begun seeing change in those who are butting their heads against the “system”. The homeless will bring about change as well ….. voices will be heard for there are many many more of “us” then the few privileged!
I hope for change here too. Stop-gap measures, such as paying hotel owners/investors for B&B facilities and paying private landlords a top-up payment to cover exorbitant rents is a short-sighted and wasteful measure.
“innocent families suffer all the while Corrupt politicians & bankers laugh, as they fill you with a pile of broken hopeless promises whilst they wine & dine in style” – so very true! I think you’ve done really well with this piece highlighting the unjustness of politics and the stark reality of social inequality.
Caz xx
Your ‘tiger’ is a cutie. 💚 We can learn so much from all animals. Perhaps these politicians are about self – service. If we, the people, place them in office, we can also remove them.
Thanks Bernice, he is so cute, but has a very determined mind of his own! He has quitened down as he aged thankfully as he ate our lawnmover grass collection box, part of our kitchen dresser etc…, Regards our politicians, voices are getting stronger but hopefully in a socially responsible way not a radical or prejudiced way. X
Your pup looks so cute & lovable Marie! Sadly homelessness has become an increasing problem globally…
You did a great job of your poem too!
Bless you,
Jennifer
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June 16, 2019 at 11:47 am
True words said about these politicians who have ripped the middle class apart. Very sad, Marie. This is everywhere.
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June 16, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Yes sadly it has become a reality in many countries. Thanks for your thoughts on this Kamal! X
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June 16, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Welcome Marie and I absolutely agree with you.
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June 16, 2019 at 4:15 pm
you used these prompts well … his stolen my heart and that’s from only one pic, what a face!
This homelessness and the gap between the haves and have nots is widening everywhere … and when people become desperate they take desperate measures … these arrogant greedy ones need to be very wary …
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 16, 2019 at 7:14 pm
It was a bit of a struggle to begin with but I was glad I stuck with it Kate. Social unrest is inevitable and voices will eventually become more powerful.
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June 16, 2019 at 10:25 pm
here the basics need are no longer being met, our tax office squeezes those struggling while multi-nationals pay NO tax … something has to give ..
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June 16, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Homelessness seems to be becoming a universal problem in big cities.
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June 16, 2019 at 7:18 pm
True Len! The private rental market is thriving and at bursting point here and provision of new social housing schemes, practically unheard of since the tiger died, leaving a big gap in the market.
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June 16, 2019 at 8:06 pm
Our four legged fur angels tend to steal our Hearts, don’t they, Marie? As for homelessness ….. it’s shocking just how many people there are without a home. I have begun seeing change in those who are butting their heads against the “system”. The homeless will bring about change as well ….. voices will be heard for there are many many more of “us” then the few privileged!
LikeLiked by 2 people
June 16, 2019 at 8:34 pm
I hope for change here too. Stop-gap measures, such as paying hotel owners/investors for B&B facilities and paying private landlords a top-up payment to cover exorbitant rents is a short-sighted and wasteful measure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 17, 2019 at 2:20 pm
“innocent families suffer all the while Corrupt politicians & bankers laugh, as they fill you with a pile of broken hopeless promises whilst they wine & dine in style” – so very true! I think you’ve done really well with this piece highlighting the unjustness of politics and the stark reality of social inequality.
Caz xx
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June 17, 2019 at 8:52 pm
Thanks Caz, it was a challenge but it’s good to see the jigsaw come together!
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June 18, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Your ‘tiger’ is a cutie. 💚 We can learn so much from all animals. Perhaps these politicians are about self – service. If we, the people, place them in office, we can also remove them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
June 18, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Thanks Bernice, he is so cute, but has a very determined mind of his own! He has quitened down as he aged thankfully as he ate our lawnmover grass collection box, part of our kitchen dresser etc…, Regards our politicians, voices are getting stronger but hopefully in a socially responsible way not a radical or prejudiced way. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 18, 2019 at 5:22 pm
Your tiger is adorable and looks lovable. Nicely done on your piece, well written and informative on a terrible problem. =)
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June 18, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Brenda, looks can be deceiving!! Lol, he is adorable but a rogue as well! Thanks for your encouraging words!
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June 21, 2019 at 4:18 am
Your pup looks so cute & lovable Marie! Sadly homelessness has become an increasing problem globally…
You did a great job of your poem too!
Bless you,
Jennifer
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June 21, 2019 at 12:41 pm
He is so cute but ate everything in his path!! Thank you for your compliment, it was challenging at times but all the more enjoyable as a result!
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June 22, 2019 at 12:41 am
Lol! 😀
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