Poems by Michelle Foy
MECOPP Gypsy/Traveller Carers Project
Back In the Day
by Michelle Foy
The tatties and strawberries, the berries tae
Even the gooseberries we pick through the day
The farmer was happy so he would say
come back when you’re ready tae pick up your pay
Back tae the trailer the sun has gone down
A wash and our meat, then away into town
I need a new coat it needs to be brown
The lady would watch, and I would just frown
Back tae the camp away tae my bed
My nice soft pillow I’d lay down my head
Up in the morning I get them all fed
Then back tae the tatties, the work that I dread.
Times Have Changed
by Michelle Foy
A pheasant a rabbit, a big broon hare
always something to eat back there
beg the farmer, for milk or eggs
my old mother making the pegs
Back in the camp, we would play,
hiding in bushes day by day,
running wild and running free,
the travelling life, it was for me
Times have changed, for us much more
bricks and mortar, and a big front door
So sad to say, its come to an end
The laws that are made, we cannot bend
When I was a Young Lass
by Michelle Foy
Back in the days when I was a young lass
the story I tell you is all from the past
I remember my aunty making the meat
the trailer was cold and so was my feet
Walking around, for hours and hours
selling my pegs, my own made flowers
my hands were sore, my fingers so numb
we needed the money, it had to be done
The summer came, what a relief
No more blisters on my two feet
Away down south we would go
fruit picking begins, I loved it so
I filled my punnets, a smile on my face
the farmer was happy, gave me some praise
the good times we had, have now all gone
I miss them so much, it’s like a sore thorn
The time has come in, there’s nothing left
only the wulks, they are up over the Rest’
Going to the doors, it came to an end
the sign says no hawkers, the rule cannot bend
Times have changed, they’ve gone away
but in our minds, they always stay
We teach our children, as they must know
the memories they hold, will never go.
All poems © Michelle Foy 2021