The “Up” and “Down” Bus

The “Up” and “Down” Bus

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DAY after day,

The dark green bus went by;

Taking people away,

Leaving others to cry,

And lament their departure.

Harold Lewis, the driver,

John Timlin, the conductor;

Well nourished bodies,

And fingernails clean;

In contrast with passengers,

Who invariably had a lean

And weather-beaten look.

Ballina to Galway,

On every week-day;

Bicycles on top,

Nothing extra to pay;

A ladder bolted to the rear,

For Harold to climb;

A man without fear,

In my worshipping eyes;

Someone worthy of a prize—

For his bravery.

A man once said to Harold Lewis,

“You must know every house and bush

Along the road from Ballina to Galway?”

“I do,” he replied, “and not alone that,

I know every jug in each dresser,

And every picture in each hallway!”

                    Tony Ruane

                                                      Straide and Dublin, 1952.