It's Far Away I Am Today

Lucy Hamilton

It's far away I am today

from shores where my mind has been

In ocean spray, where children play

there I long for Irish kin

 

Warm fire of coal should be the goal
of the life I call my own

This kindly soul, now pays the toll

safe and sound, yet all alone

 

 

'Cross waves of wheat, her face I'd greet

that white, skin of milk and dew

A voice so sweet, echo's the street

green eyes cased in honey hue

 

 

 

In stacks of hay, where we might lay

dreamin hopes ring freshly true

For everyday, I wake to play

I give of my soul to you

 

 

 

By every dawn and carriage drawn

I watch leaves sail off the tree

All crying on, will not begone

the most precious tales of thee

 

 

 

On wings above does fly the dove

of a life gentle and true

Oh precious love, you be made of

as the lord created you

 

Tate

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Galway Bay

 

'It's far-rr away I am today

from scenes I'd roame-dd a-boy,

And long ago the hour I know

I first saw Ill-i-nois

 

But time nor tide nor waters wide

could wean my hearr-t away,

For ever true it flies to you,

my own dear Galway Bay.

 

O ! grey and bleak, by shores and creek,

the rug-ged rocks a-bound,

But sweet and green the grass between,

as grows on Irish ground,

 

So friendship fond all wealth a-bound,

and the love that li-ives always,

Bless every home beside your foam,

my own dear Galway Bay.

 

Had I youth's blood and thoughtful mood

and a heart of fire once more,

For all-ll the gold the world might hold

I'd never lee-ave your shore,

 

I'd be content with what-ever-God sent

with neigh-bours old and gray,

And I'd lay my bones, 'neath church yard stones,

beside you, Galway Bay.

 

The blessing of a poor-old man

be with you night and day,

The blessing of a lonely man

whose heart will soo-oon be clay;

 

'It's all of Heav-ven I'll ask of God

upon my dying day,

My soul to soar for-ever more

above you Galway Bay.

Reviews

[Shelly Braen]

Tate,
This piece, I must say, is spectacular. To breathe in such a refreshing breath of crisp and cool nostalgia is simply devine. It's like breathing in the ocean's spray on a winter morning. The melancholy is not overlooked, but simply adding to the beauty of such a heart's flow. The heart beat and architecture of this piece are simply astounding! I feel it as almost a prayer of thanks and longing, as if Solomon wrote one last Psalm that was hidden in the catacombs of time and place. This piece soars and forever breathes within my mind's eye, painted into the proverbial retnas of my soul. So magnanimus in feeling and spirit.

[Valentine]

This is a wonderful tribute to someone who aided you through those rough patches in your life...at times we all need an angel like this to watch over us..Beautiful write as always..Me..I love all of the British Isles..LOL N God bless..Kathie

[Joel M Frye]

You did a fine job of recreating the meter of the song that follows, if that be your inspiration. We never know which face the angels will use to turn our lives around. I have my own Mary Hamilton; each of us probably do. A soulful and touching memoriam, Tate.

[Broken Soul]

Another wonderful piece and excellent song choice to accompany this poem. You did an excellent job of expressing your feelings, quite touching. Great write!

[Elaenor Aisling]

Beautiful. I am a lover of all things Irish, after having visited there last May. Your portrayal of Erin and Lucy are deep and heartfelt. Truly a lovely piece.

[Mark]

Though there were a couple of lines I did not completely understand, what I DID understand was a beautiful tribute to both a woman and a country who have given of themselves and helped create the tender and empathic man who we are privileged to call friend. Your rhyme and meter, with special attention to the internal rhymes, were absolutely spot-on! I could not help but wonder if, with all those different "-ay" rhymes, whether this might be an apt candidate for a Villanelle--if you don't wish to tackle that, may I? Regardless, thank you for this magnificent piece, Tate me laddie!

[David W Moore III]

Some great internal rhymes and the meter never misses a beat. And was it me or did you almost get a little abstract in there a few times?! Very nice.

[Zeek4]

I loved it. For one it rhymed, which seems to be a dying art, and two, it was very touching subject.

[bluessadmood]

i can see what you mean..some are made just like that ,they drop suddenly and at the right time
to wait on you and care for you,they are like a blessing from above,like a gentle breeze that blows just in time
this was really great,and i know the type you are talking about ,i ve seen and witnessed some just the same
lovely write..

[TJ]

Tate I love the way you construct your pieces. They are so deliberate, so technically sound, perfect meter and syntax with every word in it's place and so intelligently designed with your perfect usage of internal rhymes. Yet at they same time this is passionate, and emotional as of it was written straight from the heart, the imagery is amazing and the love exudes. And I'm still amazed at your ability to put your heritage into your writing so that it comes through so strongly.
Great work

[Audrey Howitt]

Tate, the piece that you wrote for Lucy feels so fresh and innocent. Your love for her just pours out of you. You have an honesty in your writing that allows us into your soul. Beautifully done!