Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick"

this is my third weeks assignment for the MOOC i am in .. we had two choices and mine was to write a Pantoum. It also is supposed to address a cultural tradition with its meaning then and today

a Pantoum

My Da wasn't much of a talking man;

he loved his stew and brew.

At table he told us a story

of how the Green holds true.

He loved his stew and brew but

harpooned his feeling free.

At table he told us a story or two

while bouncing me on his knee.

Harpooning his feeling free,

tears pierced his cheek that day.

While bouncing me on his knee;

he knew i would go away.

A tear pierced his cheek that day.

Diaspora paraded the streets.

He knew i would go away;

while cèilidhs of Dál Riata did meet

When diaspora paraded the ave

they forgot the bones and the teeth.

While cèilidhs of Dal Riata gathered

babies died in the streets.

They forgot the bones and the teeth.

At table he told a story or two.

Babies died in the streets.

It never was talked of, 'tis true

Author's Note

The Pantoum is made up of any number of quatrains. The second and fourth lines of preceding verses becomes the first and third line of the following verse. The last verse is a little different in that the first and third line are the second and fourth of the stanza above and the closing line is many times repeats the opening line.

Reviews

[Ardra]

A tear pierced his cheek that day.
Diaspora paraded the streets.
He knew i would go away;

a touching story and nicely done E... you do put lot of effort into your assignments... and must appreciate your patience for learning new things..

[Einstein Noodle]

oh this was not an easy one its true ...and i re-worked it over and over trying to get it a bit better each time ..the last verse rules especially kept confusing me (an old man) i still am not completely happy with the last couple lines but i think i will get there ;) thanks so much my friend .. i so appreciate your impressions and input
E.

[An owl on the moon]

So richly painted in a dark, full language of the mystic colors. The voice seems to resonate over time, over endless passages of life and everlasting lives found on every stone. There is a novel found in your letters and lines.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for reading owl! this was a difficult assignment for me and i think it will always be in a state of flux ..i still am not happy with the ending lines ...so happy that the gist of it came across to you in reading ... the Irish do go a ways back and tho many have foggy memories ..we are proud of them ;)

[An owl on the moon]

It was a powerful read, my friend. My relatives sailed from Belfast in the 1750s, so at least a part of me flows through that ancient fog. Stand proud always. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. ;)

[An owl on the moon]

D'fhéadfadh siad go léir a athrú i bhfianaise. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

:) yes indeed ..its the light that holds life for sure

[olla]

I liked this very much.. I had to google to find out what cèilidhs of Dal Riata meant.. my Grandmother was the last of the American Scotts that spoke Gaelic.. sad loss that.. both the language and my Gram.. thank you for giving me a reason to look.. and learn a bit more about my roots..

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness olla! i would love to know more of your Gram .. and loss .. yes what loss for sure .. Dal Riata does go way back eh!? .. deep connecting links everywhere ;) i am so pleased to have your visit .. and your comments on the poem and your heritage .. do send me mail and tell me more if you feel the mind to .. thanks again for your visit and review :)))))
E.

[olla]

I didn't know my Gram very well.. I was a child when she passed.. but the mystery of who she was drove me to read a lot about the Celtic culture and traditions.. today I have the chance to spend time with a cousin who knew her much better and I have learned more about the woman that she was.. and I treasure that.. yes.. the Celts manage to get around..

[Einstein Noodle]

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

[Great Aunt Astri]

The Pantoum, what a complicated format. But I
It is true.. many stories are passed on,but often the 'bad' things are ignored and just not talked of. Well written, Einstein.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Auntie .. our next assignment was to take the pantoum and "explode it" minimize it and yet retain its important parts ..i have handed mine in and will post it today here at the wonderful Cafe ;) the Irish especially stuff uncomfortable "things" ... the violence and division between the Irish in the 60's and 70's are simply called the "Troubles" ..
E.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

What a poetic feat of words and rhyme! The subject matter rich with history. Your tribute to your father is honest and heart-felt. "The diaspora", we see the babies dying in the street- we hear the things not said...Magnificent Master-Class work E.!

[Einstein Noodle]

you are too kind Annette ..and very encouraging :) thank you so much for taking time and reviewing ..peace and love
E.

[Carol Cashes]

Never heard of "Pantoum" before this, but the skill required to employ and successfully produce under those guidelines is on the other side of "above average", edging to the "genius" mark on the scale. *bowing and backing away*

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha thank you Carol ... i had not heard of it before either .. love you tongue in cheek "genius" .. gives me a good chuckle this morning .. i would challenge you not to back away tho....i can testify that the process is a fruitful one no matter if one uses it again or not ... our assignment for week 4 is to take the pantoum and tear it apart but keep it core essences ... i hope to share that one here soon .. great giggles of a day to ya Carol!
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this story. A feel of Mark Twain. Real people and real life. You create good people and interesting tale. A outstanding poem my friend.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Coyote Man! culture and heritage are important to us eh!? and my "Da" did instill it in me ..tho he really didn't talk a whole lot ;) love ya man!
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one and you are welcome.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Scríbhneoireacht mhór One exciting aspect of the pantoum is its subtle shifts in meaning that can occur as repeated phrases are revised with different punctuation and thereby given a new context. You have creatively captured the purposeful meaning and concept most admirably ... :-)

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you so much Phill! i agree ..and it almost writes itself once one gets down and works at it a bit .. see you around eh!?
E.

[emmajoy]

A tale and a half, a history told and what seems to be a complex form. How i envy your patience and endurance in ending with such clarity.

Just enjoyed part of the video.. such a vibrant picture too..

[Einstein Noodle]

best of the day to ya emma .. yes it is just that a tale and history and a form i just keep re-working ..it was for a class i am taking on-line...the first ever for me .. our last week now in session calls us to take the form and go free with it ... i just submitted it today and hope to post it here in a week or so .. poetry is such a work in progress always ..something i am just learning .. i sure love being at the Cafe with you emma ..so glad you are here and a friend .. you are much in demand you know ;)))) big hugs ..great day to ya .. the Irish are a very likable bunch of flaws as it were :) m'self at the head of that line :))))

[emmajoy]

So sorry I had to rush away, bread and rolls for my sister in the oven, daren't let them burn!

As I was saying (try stopping me), flaws are what make people truly human.

That tale is so bloody, so tragic, should be set aside but sadly, events like that scar the hearts of a country.. happened too often in the past. (Tis the difference of politics that scars these days)

I still don't understand the form in which you've written but will re.read the way in which it's formed.. no guarantee ever that i'd try it.. even prose poetry gets the better of me, more often or not. Must add to that, they you're to be congratulated for both courage and patience, plus for wanting to learn and learn - and learn.

I find it hard to stay away for the Cafe, have been told it's an addiction. Hand on heart it's the place in which i feel at home.. where i can sit quietly in my house but fly anywhere i want, all thanks to fantastic writers and a handful of dear friends.

Thank you for always sharing your skills, your mind and heart.

[Ken Simm.]

I actually live in the ancient Kingdom of Daliriada. not far from its one time capital. Which is in Scotland not Ireland although parts of Ulster were part of the Kingdom.
I like this primarily for the subject matter rather than the technique. But I am impressed.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ..and as we do know ..the Irish came from those Highlands eh!? what a blessed man ye be Sir Ken .. ah kin only imagine the beauty and mystical aura all around you ..its not fair you know ...who can exceel weeouoot sech inspirations ;))) i am impressed you are impressed ..it sure aint perfect but i worked it over a good bit .. peace bro!
E.

[Ken Simm.]

I hope I didn't come over as all know it all. I am honestly, very impressed.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh not at all my dear friend not at all ...strict forms are not put on comfortably by me either .. i am pretty sure this one will never be quite "done" .. but i am "done" working on it for sure .. i just happy someone read it ;}