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.

[Robert Trakofler]

I am I am a Riley and McCoy on one side and A Medlin on the other (don't know my birth Father) But I wasn't raised by Irish parents so I have almost no understanding of my Irish/Scottish heritage just some historical aspects I am a direct descendant of the McCoy's of the Hatfield and McCoy fame some of family still hails from the west Virginia mountains and I do have that famous Irish temper:) This poem background set aside has a very spiritual voice in it to me and an echo of the trials of the people forced to leave home.

[Einstein Noodle]

i am super stoked that this held those thoughts and feelings for you Mr. Riley, McCoy and Medlin ... the Scotch Irish are rich as hell in color, passion and perseverance all woven into warriors ;) i am so gratified you heard this echo sir ... thanks you for taking time to read and review ... my heritage on me Da's side is from County Donegal and the Highlands on me Ma's ... i am lifting me daily pint to ya today my friend .. Slainte Mhath! :)))))))))
E.

[Neville]

I think you already know I have waited forever for this to be posted again Gene ....tis terribly clever and emerald green throughout to be sure... oh and just for good measure Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick" was visited almost a year ago and already carries my stain.. Bless ya sor..... Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

Neville! your stain on me pages is like a good gravy spilled on me shirt .. so good one will make to wring all the flavor from it ;) really happy you saw this one revived sir! your a blessing!
E.

[Neville]

twas nowt but a pleasure sir, and all mine...
N.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, now, we're talking, Gene!
Such a beautifully rendered Free Verse, with an opulence of imagery and metaphor; yet, sans a smidgen of abstraction to garble the fragile mind of this simple olde bard (not that I don't appreciate well-rendered abstract poetry) … grin*

You've brilliantly covered a wee bit of Ireland's history with a the gamut of feeling, tragedy, inspiring thought, imagination, and a clear sense of "being there" … even tossing-in a tad of Gaelic jargon and charming blush of youthful humor. ; )
And, what a scene you set for us with that first line … splendid!

Thanks for the useful Author's Note, too, and music video that enfolds a truly sad refrain. But as they say, "Freedom ain't free!"

Bet you got a 4.0 on this one from the MOOC's (massive open online course) instructor!
Excellently good stuff, Fellow Poet … miles of KUDOS 'n smiles! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! ... a 4.0 from Richard!!!! i can die and go to heaven now sir :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) much appreciation for your time and encouragement my friend! God bless!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Not that you don't deserve it, but I actually said I bet your MOOC instructor gave you a 4.0.

[Einstein Noodle]

:} ...................

[Tate Morgan]

Isnt it funny how we mix our foundations with religion and temper them with war?

[Einstein Noodle]

now that is a deeeeeeeep well isn't it Tate? ...what a treat to have your visit sir .. and i am particularly happy you landed on this one .. it is one of a set i had as assignments in an on-line free class i took ... we were asked to write a pantoum incorporating personal,cultural and social commentary commentary ..then write another that explodes the pantoum into free verse ... here is the link to the pantoum if you have time and inclination to check it out ... it is tragic for sure when passions of religions involve us in violence ... each ones' "rightness" is cemented eh!? :( i had to work hard on that stinkin' pantoum...i hope you give it a read and let me know what you think
E.

[sette]

i love the rituals and practices of irish culture especially the religion and of course st patrick but most of all the brogue totally different

[Einstein Noodle]

i agree sette! lots to love about the Irish! ;) thank you so much for taking time and finding this one ... i appreciate it very much!
E.

[sette]

no problem my friend

[Paul Bell]

Great write. The Irish have always had their troubles to seek.
Like the Scots, they always seem to wander the world, singing songs about home.
Amazingly they both still retain that great sense of humour.
Sadly, I think Sinead O'Connor has mental health problems now. What a haunting voice.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you sir! your encouraging words always inspire me ..and on all other points ..i could not agree more ... the Scots and Irish have much in common .. many believe it were the Highlanders that settled the Emerald Isle ... and certainly there was the infusion of the "Willy Boys" way back when ... and yes .. always "The Troubles" ..the wanderings, the humor and songs ... and for Sinead ... very sad indeed .. she went off the end i'm afraid :( ... but has a fine past repertoire .. thanks for such a thorough read sir ... top o' the mahrnin' to ya!
E.

[Paul Bell]

You too, Sir.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love the use of random images to create this web and tale of the past.

[Einstein Noodle]

you read them both!!!! i am so happy you did my friend ...and thanks for reviewing ..your impressions always help ... top o' the mahrnin' to ya! :)))))))))
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I did it made me smile. My dad did not cook but he was always making Irish Stew(he'd cook the meat in Irish whiskey)
He'd say lay out the stew meat and I would immediately get a stomach ache. Lol to this day I don't like anything called stew. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha ...good opl' Dad! ;)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... all he did was keep her from the foggy foggy dew. I adore this Song... long may it be true... and you... syncapately, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Pat! so glad you found this one...the Irish is deep in me bones ... i agree about the song ..they were the troubles no doubt :( this ol' world has enough healing to do for want of more eh!? so it seems anyway ... love and peace Pattie!
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

The top of the mornin to you... your prayin would be appreciated. We have a Contract on a house as our cottage had a fire on Nov. 12 on a Sunday. We are down to the wire like in the movie "The Quiet Man" filmed in Ireland with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Settlement will be Jan. 19 Friday. The underwriters are giving us grief... but we may have the Luck of the Iris. This is our prayer. Amen ... truly, Patti ! love ❤️ and peace

[Patricia Wedel]

Ha... the luck of the Irish along with Iris in bloom in the Spring!

[Einstein Noodle]

yes...the iris and the Irish :) boy oh boy! sorry about the fire and your losses ..:( i am praying for your closing ...it can be a very stressful time getting all in order for both buyer and seller ... chin up ... Spring is arisin' ;))))

[Patricia Wedel]

With two blue moons on the horizon... prayers could be answered. Amen God bless you and yours. truly, Patti

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem my friend. Kids don't know. Life wasn't always easy. I did enjoy the poem. I love history. The Irish came to America to escape a prison. A blessing for the USA. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you sir! thank you so much! so happy you enjoyed a bit of the Irish story ;)
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

I went to Ireland once in 1979. I drank shots of whiskey and sang with the good people. You are welcome my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha so you kissed the Blarney? nothing like a good shot of Jamison ... i feel more and more like your kin now ;)

[Coyote Poetry]

They accepted me. Anyone who drink their whiskey and sing. Was family.

[Einstein Noodle]

yep! love ya man! best of the holidays to you

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish you and family. A happy and safe holiday.