Pat Johnston lives in Ballinasloe where she taught History, Religion and English in Garbally College for 37 years. Now retired, she is researching local history with particular reference to the role of women . Her interest ranges from satirical commentary in song to poetry and playwriting.
A poem by Pat Johnston
Closing The Boarding School
For Sale…
A hundred and twenty fire blankets
Job lot.
Lockers – hidden secrets
Page Three?
Odd boots,socks.jogging pants,
Striped navy ties,
Job lot.
Bain marie
Served the best food in Ireland –not.
Tuck box
One tuckful owner.
Memories – priceless
Porcelain dinner service fit for a king,
Unused
He did a Yeltsin – never made it.
Professors’ bells
No one to call
No one to come.
And – broken only by
Apple Annie,
Christy Higgins
And the Divine Lavinia –
Ranked rows of now dead priests
Soldiers of the Lord in a battle-free zone.
The Galway Review 