Erin Go Bragh 1

At Ben Bulben’s feet Sligo stands
The home of such creative hands

Where poet William Yeats did grow.
The Nobel Prize his poems did know.

On my trip to this emerald isle,
I yearned to visit a long while.

As sun poured through the misty sky
Shedding warmth with its golden eye,

I stood beside the lough in awe
At dancing diamonds that I saw

Near Connemara’s tall twelve bens 
O’er lands of ancient souls that wends.

I sense their haunting watchful eyes
And feel my roots where rivers rise.

I hear the voices lost at sea,
They echo on eternally;

As with the thousands who took flight
During the worst potato blight.

Their sadness streams across the seas
Where most souls died with unheard pleas.

Those sad and tragic days long past,
And Erin’s joys returned at last

To verdant Lee and sandy shores
To music heard across the moors,

To people with the kindest hearts
Is what this isle to me imparts.

© 2013 

*Erin go bragh means Ireland Forever
*lough means a lake
*Ben means Irish, a mountain peak
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Austin Avatar
April 18, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Sure 'n ya must be Irish. This is first rate, Connie. Congrats. Love, daver
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 18, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Thank you Daver. I adore Ireland and tried to include the things I saw first hand during my visits. I hope I can go at least once more before I die. : )
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
May 7, 2013 at 6:37 PM
This was a good description of one of my favorite places. Wonderful memories revived reading this.
Kendrick Avatar
February 17, 2013 at 1:08 PM
Enjoyed reading this one..It has such great rhythm and rhyme..Congrats on your win..Sara
Haick Avatar
February 14, 2013 at 11:43 PM
Congratulations on this beautiful write, Connie....a very lovely poem about Eire! Well said! Annalise
Zerbst Avatar
February 14, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Even though I said exta points for humour, this one beat a lot of others that attempted humour because it is so realistic; it has a certain quality that makes me think of reality, both the beauty and the sadness of it. And, of course, you did a great job on the couplets.
A   Avatar
February 13, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Hello Connie, Congratulations, :-), with your awesome, Irish Poems ... xox~PD
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
February 12, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Belated congratulations on your win Connie xx
Merryman Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Beautiful poem, Connie! Congrats on your win! Love, Kim
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 5:34 PM
YAY connie, you go, Irish Lassie. congrats on the win.
Bauer Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 3:29 PM
a wonderful poem, which sounded so perfectly irish! loved it! congrats on your win!
Jones Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 3:09 PM
This reads as a wonderful tribute to me...beautiful....congrats
Johnson Avatar
February 11, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Love the Irish words and phrases. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Ryerson Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 8:04 AM
I'm sure you're dreaming sweet dreams by now but I sent you a super-soupy-souper reply...
Horsman Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 5:10 AM
just love this Connie,, you bring the whole poem to life,,,
Wesley Avatar
January 31, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Poetic perfection Connie and I'm wonderin if you be an Irish lass to create such a gem. The happy and sad parts of Irish history are so poignantly spoken of. Love, Elizabeth
Ryerson Avatar
January 29, 2013 at 3:18 PM
Well Connie, what can I say?...Did you ever see 'The Last Waltz? (The Band's farewell concert) If not, PLEASE watch it!...A guy did a poem which I don't think was Irish but maybe old English (Cornish?)...Do you know what I'm talking about? It was beautiful...I wish you could find and study this language...Knowing you and your talent, I'm sure you could master it and write a real gem for us - Tim (there was also an idiot poet who did an offensive and sacreligious poem too...not him!)
Ryerson Avatar
January 29, 2013 at 3:39 PM
By the way (and I'm sure I'm boring you to death!)...In the movie, Van Morrison (The Belfast Cowboy) knocks um dead and steals the show...the best live performance I have ever witnessed (I'm a bit of a music buff, can you tell?)
Russo Avatar
January 29, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Absolutely beautiful, Nicely done poet. Take a look at my poem
Richards Avatar
January 29, 2013 at 7:45 AM
I can tell that you know this land, the land of green, even better than me, with this wonderful poem, Connie! Well done!
A   Avatar
January 28, 2013 at 8:28 PM
Connie, a good poem,, some sad thoughts... love the Irish theme... good luck in the contest... enjoyed :-) always~PD
Dietrich Avatar
January 28, 2013 at 7:07 PM
If this does not win an Irish contest, I don't know what better could do it!! I know how much you love Irish, Connie and your poem shows it.
Williams Avatar
January 28, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Connie a superb picture you have painted, great images and I love Connemara, outstanding write....David soup mail
Andresen Avatar
January 28, 2013 at 11:10 AM
A lovely place to travel, Connie - Have you been there? - Good luck in the contest. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
Burch Avatar
January 28, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Oh how I want to go there!!! Love your couplets...they work so well here...well done Connie!!! love ya, deb
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