Fighting Irish

Something light-'tis meant to be amusing. I, myself, am of Irish extraction. Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Hills alight with flowing green,
grey rocks for walls and homes.
The day ablaze with fair colleens
step dancing and blarney stones

A place where whiskey and tea
vie for the national thirst.
Where all expect your loyalty
and double crosses are cursed.

Tread lightly those to us unknown
for Celts we are still now,
and if  its found fists must be thrown
we'll gladly show you how

Reviews

[Pete Langley]

It is the green tint in Irish blood that gives rise to the poet in every Paddy - and which makes the hands into fists with just a small amount of encouragement from the amber nectar! A stirring and nostalgic piece, Blue. P.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Pete- them's fightin' words!

[Traci]

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you and yours. Thanks for a very well written poem, displaying your Irish roots wonderfully. Another great job, I thoroughly enjoyed it :)

[icelandicblue]

So nice to see you again. It's nice to meet you.

[Traci]

Likewise. Enjoying your work very much.

[Tarry Franck]

Love this poem - perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Wishing you the best on this celebration day!

[icelandicblue]

Why thank you! I am happy that you enjoyed the poem.

[Marie]

Great St. Patrick's Day poem...many of us seem to be doing one, and I'm glad. He wasn't so well remembered last year

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Marie- I no longer celebrate like I once did in my youth, so I figure poetry is a good way to remember the day.

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear icelandicblue

I am from Belfast by origin, until18 when I left with a huge sigh of relief.

This rings as many bells in my head as there as many bells to ring.

You move me.

You take me back to my upbringing.

Sadly I was brought up at the height of the Troubles in the seventies. It remains to this day an upbringing I chersh yet regret.

Read my pieces on here about Ireland

Bloody Friday for example.

Writing it out of my system I do.

I love yet I hate.

Yet above all I regret and I cry.

These days I try to get over it and I am pleased they are starting to, too.

James

[icelandicblue]

I am aware of much of the history or Ireland and followed the Troubles in the 70's. I have a very useful degree in European History lol. I look forward to reading what you have written and your thoughts and feelings about it. I am second generation in this country. My grandparents came from a small island in Galway. They were both fluent in Gaelic and lived very simple lives. There is a huge Irish population here in Boston, and when I was young I lived deep in the city in an Irish enclave; I too am not proud of many of the racial stances that my elders took. Thank you for commenting. I once posted this poem and a naysayer (one in the same from Broken Feet- he really disliked me) called me a plastic paddy and that really hurt. Although removed from Ireland I feel my heart lies there.

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear You (I try to type complicated user names but I find it hard)

You are by no means a plastic paddy.

I know much about Boston and Logan airport and the Irish in the US.

No-one has any right to critique anyone for their history.

It is what is.

Please do say hello by mail, be you be so bave. I am as gentle as a lamb and you interest me.

Say hello at will without obligation

James Hanna-Magill

[icelandicblue]

Aye, I read this this morning five times, and I so loved it, hadn't the time to review yet, but now I do, and I feel your roots upon your words. Isn't that beautiful... :)
Super cute, short, and to the point mo chara ;)

- Elisa

[icelandicblue]

Elisa- Thank you and for the touch of Gaelic on this day.

Most welcome :) loved this!!!

[Frieda P]

Ha this is great, I need to show this to my friend, she'll love it...dem are fighting' words. Cheers.

[icelandicblue]

Ha ha- dems fightin' words all right. Thanks for reading.

[Frieda P]

We call my friend Danny boy...even though she's a fightin Irish gal, she's going to get a big kick out of this one...much enjoyed, my pleasure.

[icelandicblue]

I actually framed this poem and gave it to my father. He's one tough Irishman, the quintessential quiet man, and he enjoyed it. I hope your friend enjoys it too.

[Frieda P]

I'll let you know...

[Frieda P]

Great gift by the way, he must have been tickled green!

[R. L. Ives]

By the end, I was reading this with an Irish brogue.

Happy St. Patty's to you.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks R. L. I am glad you enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed writing. May the wind be always at your back my friend.

[Jack...]

Happy St. Patrick's Day and thank you for this wonderful poem

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Jack, the same to you!