Healing, Ointment and Faith
written by: Ger White
Twas a summer’s day not unlike any other
The hay was next to get done
Paddy along with his brothers
Worked quietly beneath the hot sun
Billy rounded up rows with the Raker
DJ flattened strong hay with the Scythe
Cutting high grass from the headland
Paddy worked best with his mind
Thinking; “Now I’m getting this hay saved
Next we’ll bring home the turf
And this will feed all my children
Making sure each one has enough”
But then; the accident happened!
That fork went down through his foot
With the dent of his strength he had pushed it
His foot was pinned to the earth – and it hurt!
All brothers came running together
Alerted by feelings of love
Assessed the precarious situation
And sent silent prayers up above
A child was dispatched to the outhouse
“Fetch that ointment we used on the cows,
The dark red globby cream to the left of the door
Hurry – there’s no time to lose!”
DJ moulded that ointment
Blended with intention of healing
Designed as it was to cure bruise, cut or weal
Pliant, supple and yielding
With calmness and careful precision
DJ pulled that fork up from the earth
The foot was purple and dead, bluey green and dark red
And Paddy was fainting with hurt!
Prayers had been soaring to Heaven
No brother maintained any doubt
But that Paddy’s foot would be fully healed
As soon as that fork was pulled out!
Together they envisioned a fully healed foot
DJ was of the same mind
God smiled on these folk with hearts pure and strong
That foot healed up fine, in short time.
- An Irish Curse - November 29, 2024
- Healing, Ointment and Faith - September 20, 2024
- Boxing up My Life? - July 7, 2024
