St. Paddy's Day

this is week four of my class assignment .. it relates to http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/green444/1947407/ a free verse form of the same thoughts ;)

She sat by the fire

old crone

Smoke

weaving stone into runes 

Rope

spun farther than the ancients of 

Dál Riata and Fergus Mór 

"You know what diseases you can get?"

"Yes"

My Da gave me the sex talk.

Nervousness and guilty shame all

Catholic on me

He never talked much.

An Gorta Mor

One million gone to the dirt and

one million more dispersed

the diaspora

We live in America now and 

St. Paddy's Day celebrates

the drink, the excess 

Corn Laws and the Troubles all behind

Oh the green holds true .. the isle, 

the shamrock

and flag

Author's Note

Dál Riata: was a Gaelic overkingdom that included parts of western Scotland and northeastern Ireland, on each side of the North Channel ...
Fergus Mór mac Eirc was a legendary king of Dál Riata.
diaspora: those peoples who scatter from their homeland

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

What an excellent exercise. And I like that you explained a couple things in the notes so I didn't have to search it. I'll definitely have to look into the class workshop stuff. Now with the free verse version the pantoum is easier to understand. Nice to post them together. I'll go read the pantoum again. Thanks for sharing these with me!

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks so much for your input William .. me "voice" is abstract and it shows in the free verse version .. i am really happy you took time to read them both sir! thanks so much again!
E.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Oh how I relate to this classic of poems 'E'. Being a Catholic who still feels the clearances and the potato famine and the exodus it is another deeply meaningful piece. In saying so Scotland once ruled Ireland when Bruce's brother was sent to parley with the Irish Chiefs but instead inserted himself as King of Ireland (only to be recalled, scolded by his brother King). Wonderful reading.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my friend..i am so happy you read "Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick" and then this one as they are related assignments for a class ..the pantoum first then taking that and "exploding it" to explore, yet keep parts as one felt inspired ... it was the first class i have taken on poetry and writing .. on line and for free ..they should have another coming in a few months ..i would be happy to share a link if you are interested .. anyway... thanks again for taking time John .. glad that the history touches you ..
E.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I would be pleased to try this class Sir 'E'

[Einstein Noodle]

https://app.novoed.com/poetry-and-plays-2017
i am very happy with the things i learned ... well worth the effort ... like i say tho... i don't know when a next class will begin ..but if you hook up with them they will let you know

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Sir 'E' I will register.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .............

[Carol Cashes]

I was born on St. Patrick's Day:

"Oh the green holds true .. the isle,
the shamrock"

Loved the old crone - I'm not too far from that status. Only thing, I'll be carving shamrocks in Double Stuffed Oreos for the wee lads and lassies....

[Einstein Noodle]

oh i am thanking my stars for the lilt of laughter your bring :)))))
we'll call them Dublin Doubles ... what say you??
E.
ps no better day to be born says i! you are a four leafer for sure

[Einstein Noodle]

ps tho the subject matter is quite a very sad tragedy ..its the humor of the Irish that stands the test ;)

[Carol Cashes]

According to the DNA test I did, I'm have 51% Great Britian and 15% Ireland. My son was born the day before Christmas and I am having a tattoo designed of a tattered somewhat torn shamrock folded over and sheltering a holly leaf that pierces one of the shamrock leaves (children break your heart, you know) with a small drop of blood at the piercing. We are going to get it done the same day. He is 3,000 miles from me but this is something we've discussed many times and we both really want it.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness..what a fantastic tattooing to be... i would love to see it ... i have a lot of tats .. and my children as well ... it sounds like a really good one ..especially including the holly and shamrock .. both very Celtic ;) send me a pic if you can

[Carol Cashes]

Well, now...see, I haven't decided where to put it...

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ...................

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Stellar and fascinating write. The imagery is amazing- "old crone...weaving stone into runes". I wish I knew more of the history to understand the context better, and I thank you for the information you provide. I so love the magic, the mist and the lyrical, rugged language of this. I feel the battles and blood spilled... Thanks so much E. for sharing this.

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you so much for reading Annette .. and your kind review ... all our heritage is so important ..the class i took put me more in touch with it ... i forgot to mention "an gorta mor" refers to the famine that killed so many in Ireland ... always a treat to see your smiling face and your puppy :)
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... we love everything Irish, especially the poetry and songs. My grandmother was of Irish descent, but mostly the gentle sweet disposition, but tough in preparing the land and fishing. She knew how to make preserves and fresh bread. She milked the cow and fed the chickens every morning. She raised three girls and three boys. My grandfather plowed the field and planted corn and vegetables. He had hogs and a smoke house. I come from good stock. Love your poetry. truly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Pat ..so glad you found this one having Irish in your ancestry ... me Da made sure to instill the "pride" in me though not so much in words ...seems the spirit is strong in those from the Isle .. thank you very much for sharing a bit of your own cultural heritage and for reviewing .. your Grand parents, like so many others, lived the hard but good life ..and i bet had the humor to wink at adversity .. love and peace and thank you again for reading Pat
E.