Not Easy Being Irish

Title says it all

Sometimes…

I feel emotions so deeply in my heart

That I almost wish I wasn’t Irish.

That sometimes to feel happiness,

Sadness…and yes…e’en pain

So intensely

That at times It’s a curse and 

At others a blessing, a boon and a bane

To suffer such bittersweet pleasure

From music, poetry…and pain

Sometimes… 

My heart aches 

At the bright break of dawn

And tears rain down my cheeks

At the sight of the setting Sun.

And many are the times that weigh 

Heavy ‘pon this old poet 

When the pen cannot capture

The words that caper capriciously

Through this ol’ sodden mind of mine

Sometimes…

The beauty and the sadness, the long dark tresses

And bewitching eyes of Irish lasses

The wonder and the madness

Overwhelm, defy and defeat an Irishman’s 

Best efforts…in truth

Ne’er known in this life

Oftimes…

The skirling of the pipes

And the sad wail of the flute

Rend my heart with renditions

Of ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘Oh Danny Boy,’

And ‘Auld Lang Syne’

Yet my pen is unable 

And lies stubborn ‘pon the table

Unwilling to put my feelings to paper

Sometimes…I harbour passions

That elude my ability to describe 

And sometimes…It’s just hard to be Irish…

A burden 

…To be Irish and unable to write…

Author's Note

It helps if you're Irish too

Reviews

[Nadia_2]

Being Irish, I enjoyed this poem immensely. Thank you for your work.

[jesserose99]

lovely sweet poem....love the mood of it. It's light and a bit sad at the same time.