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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