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Clothes Old And new. Éadaí sean is nua

Updated: Aug 14

I have several old clothes,

Boots, runners,wellies and shoes

Clogging up wardrobes and storage space

Each item having fully served out its time with me

We have a saying in our house

When clothes or shoes start looking shoddy

They should be consigned to a new life

Adorning the inners of our garage wardrobe.

Or the shelves of some charity shop

Or the hallowed bins of recycling centres

My wife loves decluttering

And is a regular supplier to charity shops

I am a sentimentalist and love to hoard

I have raincoats and warm winter coats

Never again to be worn in public places

Old jumpers and six pairs of runners

Some over two decades old

But they still serve a purpose

In protecting me from wind and cold

Or keeping my house gear clean

During my gardening maintenance sessions.

I remember my younger days

How different things were then

There were good clothes and old clothes

And the corduroy jackets and pants for school clothes

School uniforms were unheard of.

Saturday nights were special times

There was bath times and hair washing sessions

The Sunday clothes were taken down

And all were doubly checked for cleanliness

Shoes were polished with mirror like sheen

Ensuring everything was ready for the weekly family outing

That great spiritual and social event, the Sunday mass.

Neighbours went to Sunday service

Everyone went to some Sunday religious event

There was great chat and unhurried story telling

Outside every church on Sunday mornings.

After all the natter we went to Curneen’s shop

To buy the Sunday Independent

And the sticky lollipop for the younger fry

And off we scampered home for breakfast

Because we had been fasting since midnight

So that we could receive Holy Communion at mass.

There were dire warnings to mind our Sunday best clothes

As we were always going visiting somewhere in the afternoon

When we came home post granny or another visit,

 We changed and all the good clothes were taken off

Washed, ironed and put away safely for another Sunday.

Casual clothes were never mentioned, never heard of

Because they were not the norm in the Ireland of the early fifties.

Yes, life was different then, poorer, stricter, more regimental

Less choice of clothes, food and entertainment

But we were happy and contented,   

We thrived on less and survived it all.

 

Mick O Callaghan

07/07/2024

 

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