Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Clodagh Madden

Youghal Poet Clodagh Madden was a finalist in this year’s Strokestown International Poetry Festival. The poem below was her entry in the political satire section

P.S. Daughter, I Love You
Yet again my darling daughter I must sit down and write
To say well done on yet another TV interview last night
Your dear old dad’s as proud as punch, I knew that you’d go far
Young, beautiful and talented, you really are a star

I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am with your success
An author in the family, my little poppet, my princess
Celebrity becomes you love, but of course it’s in the blood
You look radiant on the telly, my precious little rosebud

But don’t forget, my little pet, my own part in your fame
It surely helped a little bit, the good old family name
A call to a producer on behalf of my sweet sugarplum
Resulted in the very speedy making of a fillum

I won’t forget how my heart did swell and a little tear I shed
To see you at the premiere, walk along the carpet red
Autographs cameras, reporters, paparazzi, what a whirl
I smiled in the background wanting to shout ‘Hey that’s my baby girl.’

Richard and Judy on Channel Four, RTE and the BBC
Discovered your talent when I let them know that you are related to me
A thousand calls on your behalf was your loving father’s plan
I think you must agree with me that’s how your stardom began

In every book shop huge displays to push my lovely daughter
Make your name, ensure your fame, so don’t you think it’s time you oughta
think of me from time to time and maybe throw a crumb,
I could do with a little help right now to supplement my small income

You’re famous now and it seems to me you’ve changed a lot, you’d rather
forget your roots and the help you got from your poor long suffering father
It’s unkind to ignore my messages, by phone or text or fax
When you know I could do with a digout – a few bob to pay the tax

So it’s like this darling daughter, you’d better let me have some dosh
A cheque made payable to cash is all I need to squash
my creditors, and rise again like a phoenix from the ash
So it’s pay back time Cecilia – daddy needs some cash.

Clodagh Madden 2008