Kirbysman• Show poetry

My first two books of poetry are now available - click the pictures for more details 

My first novel is also available - click the picture

No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee.

-- John Donne



The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

-- Thomas Gray



If bricks could tell, if mortar told

Of eras past and ages old,

What kinds of things would we then learn

Which would be lost with season's turn?

All time's enigmas would unfold
If bricks could tell, if mortar told.
Each link, each clue to us they'd yield,
Until the riddles are revealed.

Dear moments lost would then be found;
No more in yesterdays be bound,
If bricks could tell, if mortar told
No longer all their secrets hold.

Then time would have no lasting waste,
For mem'ries would not be erased
And ne'er be locked in limbo's cold,
If bricks could tell, if mortar told.

--Maureen Hodson Folley (Darianna)



I'm a retired engineer who plays tennis 4 times a week, loves music (play piano and guitar a little) reads about relativity, quantum physics and the cosmos, teaches Sunday school, takes care of grandchildren and builds furniture.  I write for fun and enjoyment but would like to improve.  Right now, my poetry rhymes - at least most of it.  But, I have ventured out a little and done a couple of non-rhymers and found it enjoyable and a different kind of challenge.


I learned something too, perhaps part of the subtle difference between the two when I asked a good friend who writes wonderful free verse how she does it.  Her reply, "Does one ask the wind how it blows?"  Hmmm, a pretty good thought there, Kerri.


                         Special people pass through but once in a while
                         And they leave their marks in the sand.
                         Those makers of marks are precious indeed
                         When they pass with their heart in their hand.



Several people have asked the origin of my name and guessed very incorrectly where it came from.  So, here's the story.

I've known my wife since we were 10 years old and her name then was Kathy Irby and her family called her "K".  Therefore she was K. Irby, (and you see where this is going) or Kirby, and that's what I've always called her.  Therefore I'm Kirby's man, or kirbysman.  So that's the story.


My sincere thanks to poet Gatlianne without whose help and encouragement I wouldn't be here doing this.


I have two mottos that I try to live by and my children have heard a lot.

Of those to whom much has been given, much will be required.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Psalm 34:18  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit




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