Irish poet Louis MacNeice (1907-63). His father 
and mother were both from the west of Ireland. 
His father was a Church of Ireland clergyman. 
His mother suffered gynaecological problems and 
in 1913 had a mental breakdown, forcing her to 
leave the family for a nursing home. A year
later, she died of tuberculosis. -- Who knows 
what "gynaecological problems" meant in those 
days? 


Autobiography by Louis Macneice	

In my childhood trees were green
And there was plenty to be seen.
Come back early or never come.

My father made the walls resound,
He wore his collar the wrong way round.
Come back early or never come. 

My mother wore a yellow dress;
Gentle, gently, gentleness.
Come back early or never come.

When I was five the black dreams came;
Nothing after was quite the same.
Come back early or never come.

The dark was talking to the dead;
The lamp was dark beside my bed.
Come back early or never come.

When I woke they did not care;
Nobody, nobody was there.
Come back early or never come.

When my silent terror cried,
Nobody, nobody replied.
Come back early or never come.

I got up; the chilly sun
Saw me walk away alone.
Come back early or never come.