I’D LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GREAT POET MICHAEL SHEILS

IHAVE no doubt the generations still around will love this piece. Looking through the files, I came across a great poem by a man called Michael Sheils, Nirvana, Drogheda. It dates from April 1929 and what a glorious little classic it is. It is entitled ‘The Girl I never Met’ It would be great to learn more about Michael and his life.

I LOVE her winsome queenly grace, Her heart superbly true;

The soul that lights her girlish face, Calls forth my love anew;

Her eyes two gems of fairy light, Neath fairy arches set,

Would brighten all my life’s dark night If I this girl o’er met.

I Ier spirit high in honour’s pride Resents her people’s wrongs;

And those who for old Ireland died, She honours in her songs;

Her glance repels the rude advance, And she is no coquette;

She makes no friends by reckless chance, This girl I never met.

No glaring rakish eyes she draws By scarceness of attire;

To keep old Irish virtue’s laws In her sincere desire;

From mannish modes she’s ever free; She smokes no cigarette;

Your memory is dear to me

Oh, girl I never met.

She seeks no sheiks of wild romance To bear her o’er the plain,

Nor in dark car from midnight dance Be wood down lonely lane;

Each thought is open as the day:

And I shall ne’er forget

Though I am getting old and grey

This girl I never met.

No priceless gem shine from her hair,

Nor pendant on her breast:

She of the old and poor,

Take care, And champions the oppressed:

And I am happy with my lot,

I love her well and yet

I loved her better were she not, A girl I never met.

Her voice likes music of the sphere Falls o’er me like a spell:

Like magic to my longing ears: like song from a fairy dell,

And I shall love her till I die,

With only one regret:

That 1 have been enchanted by

A girl I never met.