It's Far Away I Am Today

'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

Lucy Hamilton, Princess of Ireland

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 that face I'd greet

her 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 new

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

 

______________________________________________________________________

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.

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Author's Note

This I wrote for the sweet maid Lucy Hamilton of Ireland. She rescued me when I was lost, with a sweet nature and a melodic voice like far flung rain. Her loving care melted my cold heart and gave me back my soul.
May God watch over her.
As to the poem It is the most complex thing I ever constructed. I try to make works seem as though they just roll off the tongue. However with this it was intensely hard.Every rhyme adds to complication of a poem.But that does not always make them better.In some cases the simplest formulas and rhyme make the best poetry.
I hope you liked it. It was anything but easy to construct. And I have worked on it off and on for 2 yrs.
Tate

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.

This poem has reminded me that I too fell in love with a beautiful Irish woman many years ago. It also brings to mind Patrick Kavanagh's moving poem Raglan Road, set to music and sung by Luke Kelly and also recorded by Van Morrison with the Chieftains. It also reminded me of my own poem My Violin which scans more or less to the tune of the Londonderry Air (Oh Danny Boy). I agree that it is crucial, when writing to a strict formula, that you make the lines flow naturally and that word choice does not seem manipulated by the requirements of the form and I must say I think you have succeeded wonderfully well. I very much enjoyed the poem and the song. The Irish lady also looks delightful.

[Peggy Gildon]

Wow It surely is beautiful and I could actually here it in an Irish brogue. As my granddaughters just came back from Northern Ireland a few days ago and brought with them a wee bit on Irish speak... So funny to hear them talking. Beautiful poem, I hope one day to see this place.

[Dinesh Sairam]

One of your best pieces, I would say. You have definitely worked on that Prosody. Good stuff, and in your usual style, that's what I'd like to read. Keep writing.

PS. Hats off for working on it for 2 years! The longest I've worked on was for 3 days!

[Legacy]

Tate,

Primarily, I feel a sense of grief... a very outspoken feeling of sorrow to not have this friend around any longer.

Then I thought, well - it's a well penned love poem... in tribute to this wonderful woman, who went the distance for you in a time of need.

I am pondering now though, and I need to read it several more times (I may be onto something) I will P.M. to fill you in, if what I think might be.

At either circumstance, you have pounded the keys for this work, I am certain for it... You have given thought to every line and time to every stanza. This work I am calling masterpiece - you have earned it.

Mood music to boot, was well chosen and deserved an excellent addition!

One question though, since you have finally completed this long time goal...? What will you do next?

Thank you for the invitation and the inspiration... Question maybe what will I do next.

Legacy 100% pure perfection

[Droll Prole]

A beautiful poem.

[Time.]

This is amazing! in no other words. It just took my
breath away for a few moments. Loved it.

[Pradnya]

poem is just so beautiful, and i must say u too :)

[SageMusic]

I am not sure why AnnaBel Lee came to mind after the first read through, but it did:)

This work starts off like a lovely country road, with sweeping turns along an old forgotten Celtic road and ends on the wings of a dove. The words flow simply like the lilt of an Irish tune.

Well done!

[Priyankaabhilaashi]

Beautiful..!!