The summer is over end Christmas draws on But still ever present is the warmth of the sun Protecting the body from withering cold And the sobering thought of our lives still untold: Enshrouded in silence and solitude My soul is deprived of its main source of food. The house resides like a big, empty shell, Enjoying the peaceful and tranquil spell. Before the invasion strikes once again Not space-invaders, but three formidable men. Once again bedlam and confusion will reign Michael about my blancmange will complain Hugh wheeling and dealing and endlessly funny Endeavouring to talk me out of my dole money. Timothy so philosophical and sound With both feet implanted firmly on the ground. Hugh with his hair-brained notions and schemes Of becoming a millionaire, he dreams He could do it apart from the money he lacks And there’s always the problem of the evasion of tax. All the comings and goings the tumultuous row But what a vast improvement on the quiet of now. So hurry on Christmas, upset the balance of time Till we’re all reunited with joy oh so sublime. The keen observations of time that has passed Mike has grown bigger and stronger at last! That Hugh has not changed is clearly apparent Wearing his spoils and distinguished with scent. Banqueting and feasting like the ancient of Lords Perhaps Hugh will sing with his ’discovered’ vocal chords! An argument flares, who’ll win and who’ll cower The subject of course is ’Who’s first in the shower?’

Oh the simple and unsophisticated joys of life The family differences, dissonance, and strife. But although it may appear uncharacteristically strange There is nothing about this family I’d change Unless by a magic spell and a whirl Michael was transformed from a boy to a girl But wait, I can see as plain as a blister There’s only one thing worse than a brother, a sister! But in truth I must take the time to say That my love for my brothers will never decay. That I would give anything, my life or my limb, For any one of my brothers Hugh, Mike or Tim.

Sheila Sweeney (nee Brady) Circa 1981