Poem: Ode to Southern Ireland
Our hearts led us back to Southern Ireland
(where familiar songs and family roots sprung)
towards the Lough through bloody fuchsia banks
Over rough meadows of green (and greener still)
climbed purple mountains steeped in heather
Passed Falcons gliding down toward valleys
from mountain to limestone ragged walls
an emerald tapestry flung over undulating land
Deep in Gaelic mystery and folklore history
we made our way towards home...
Above the Lough the rugged mountains
gazed into the crystal water, and leaned
as though they might fall, until night did fall
and the moon lay upon the Lough
shining from black velvet sky...until dawn
when ghostly ancient castles loomed...
naked fortresses wasted from bitter wages
remote and shattered reminders of war-torn ages
where hero's clashed and passions a-blast
we pondered on...then passed ...
quiet fly fishermen in lough thigh deep...
as we flew over hump-backed bridge
With tummies tickling and senses reeling
we hurried and turned up leafy lane
and saw beautiful, thatched cottages
"Fairy bridge; family...sister Mary!
Home! ... where the peat smokes in the fireside neat
wide and welcoming as the smiles that greet
men supping Guinness, black as the sliced peat
(from bogs, where working Irish meet)
lilting music and songs sang so sweet.
and where my roots belong
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