Ode to Liffey Fall

Dear Liffey Fall,
Once a lush green field,
Wildlife in abundance and flora all around,
In times gone by a santuary,
But how sad now to see what I have found

Dear Liffey Fall,
You lay next to a graveyard,
Where I rest for all eternity,
I'm sad to see how you have changed,
Houses fill that once green field beside the Liffey

Dear Liffey Fall,
As you emerged from those lovely green fields,
Families came in search of a love much better,
One of happiness and joy,
One you won't find in this letter

Dear Liffey Fall,
I thought you would be different from all those other estates,
But no, you're just the same,
A sad place of voluntary jail cells,
For all this sadness you're not alone in blame

Dear Liffey Fall,
The Residence Association was created by those that came,
A group of neighbours with good intentions,
"We will look after you 'Liffey Fall' and your children", dare I mention

Dear Liffey Fall,
You were let down by those closest to you,
Sad grey faces walk on by,
Your children silenced, how they cry,
How you differ from times gone by

Dear Liffey Fall,
Give up those grudges you bare,
Let the children out to play,
Do this please before its too late,
As one day soon beside me you will lay

Dear Liffey Fall,
The little children that first came to see,
Are our teenagers making their own way,
"Get out", "Move on", "Not wanted here",
Please, no wonder their heads are in dissarray

Dear Liffey Fall,
Go softly, go gently, its not too late,
Remember the lush green field you once were,
Social media is no place to ridicule and slate,
Bring less friction and more joy if you dare

Dear Liffey Fall,
As I lay here for all of time,
I end this little Ode of mine,
Be gentle to all your kin,
For once just let the sunshine in

Author: Elaine McNeill