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Irish Farewell

O'Rourke has left Ireland with all he owns in a knapsack. He is going to America with sunshine at his back. The Irish soil is dotted with potatoes now turned black. O'Rourke has left Ireland and he is never coming back. Amongst the rotting potatoes, a seed has begun to sprout. On the stem shall a four leaf clover grow, surely there's no doubt. Soon the rot will disappear. Ireland's luck will turn about. But O'Rourke is gone for good. Raise a mug and give a shout.

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Jim Slaughter

Date: 8/27/2024 10:35:00 AM

A very poignant piece, Hilda. That must have been a really tough time for those folks. And even though O'Rourke may be gone "for good", I'll bet he still raises a mug and gives a shout every St. Pat's Day.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 9/21/2024 12:03:00 PM

Thank you for commenting. I can feel the Irish pain that those hard years caused.

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 6/9/2024 5:42:00 PM

Hilda this is a poignant, wonderfully written tale from one of the saddest chapters in Irish history. A touchng poem.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 6/9/2024 6:57:00 PM

It is sad. I heard of the potato famine and hardship in Ireland when I was in elementary school. Almost all of my teachers were women of Irish blood. I learned a lot about Ireland. I am pleased that you like my version.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/2/2024 12:32:00 PM

A great Irish farewell and the luck of the Irish ahead…

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 6/9/2024 6:53:00 PM

This poem was written for St. Patrick's Day. I attempted a four leaf clover poem, but it took a turn. Thanks for reading.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 4/15/2024 7:11:00 AM

You have captured the optomistic spirit of Ireland with this amazing poem, Hilda I think maybe you could say indomitable spirits, I do have Irish blood from Irish convicts transported to Tasmania. I enjoyed reading this and thank you. SuZ

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/15/2024 8:19:00 PM

Thank you for your comments. I didn't hear about the Irish in Tasmania. It must have been hard to adapt to a wilderness place.

Daniel Caplin

Date: 4/12/2024 11:35:00 PM

Hi Hilda great poem , did O'Rourke make it ? More than 100,000 Irish died at sea on what was labelled coffin ships and never got to see their new promised land , enjoyed your poem . Danny

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/15/2024 8:15:00 PM

I never heard of coffin ships. I think some may have died on the Titanic. I grew up with a lot of Irish kids, so I heard of the potato famine. Of course, O''Rourke made it. Thank you for reading.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/19/2024 12:18:00 PM

- St. Patrick's Day ... I don't know much about it ... but, written with humor ... and I smile :) - hugs

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/19/2024 2:22:00 PM

Thank you.

Joe Dimino

Date: 3/19/2024 10:58:00 AM

love it!

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/19/2024 2:22:00 PM

Thank you.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/18/2024 2:27:00 AM

You will find plenty of St. Patrick's in America. A popular saint. Many have migrated from Ireland to America. Lovely poem.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/18/2024 6:58:00 AM

Yes, you're right. Thank you.

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 3/17/2024 11:37:00 AM

Lovely Celtic write adored reading your work sweetie.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/17/2024 8:59:00 PM

Thank you.

Ink Empress

Date: 3/17/2024 8:00:00 AM

I love your rhymes dear hilda. So many migrate sadly, to find better lives, leaving their ancestral soil. Youv written so well and your title made me think of a movie that just came out on netflix, irish wish. Fun movie. I felt so much reading your poem. You always write on so many different subjects and themes, and they are always so impressive and worthy of all the accolades, pleasure reading your work again dear hilda. Sending you light always

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/17/2024 10:48:00 AM

Thank you. This is my St. Patrick's Day poem. Sadly I was unable to squeeze "green" into it.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 3/17/2024 3:48:00 AM

hmmmm, everyone has migrated at one point or the other, your poetry is most endearing, I just finished singing forty shades of green, lol, Ireland the beautiful tatter or not, loved it Hilda, :)

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/17/2024 7:04:00 AM

hmm. I'm not certain coming to America in the cargo hold would be purposeful migration, but it is expected that people come to work and improve their and our lives today. Let's keep very bad people out. O'Rourke was a good person and left out of desperation. So today, Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/16/2024 7:39:00 PM

I love the lilt, the rhyme, and the message in this, Hilda. And just think: If O'Rourke is in Chicago tomorrow, he can see the Chicago River dyed deep green, and a grand parade down Michigan Ave. How about those potatoes?! Enjoy, Gershon

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 8:01:00 PM

He may be in the parade. By now, I hope he owns an Irish pub. Thanks for liking my poem.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 3/16/2024 6:44:00 PM

Dear Hilda, A marvelous tribute to the resilience of the human spirit amidst hardship and departure. Your words are filled with a sense of bittersweet nostalgia, capturing the essence of hope and renewal even in the face of adversity. I love how your poem tells us to embrace change with courage and optimism. Hilda, this is such a touching and evocative verse. - Blessings, Daniel

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 6:56:00 PM

Thank you.

David Fisher

Date: 3/16/2024 4:30:00 PM

Raising a mug to O'Rourke! You do the Irish proud with your poem.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 4:59:00 PM

Thank you. It's intended for St. Patrick's Day. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Bill Baker

Date: 3/16/2024 3:30:00 PM

Here, here! to O'Rouke. It's people like him that came to America and became the beginning of my ancestry. I'm mostly Irish / Scottish. :-) with a touch of Iberian Peninsula. lol According to Ancestery, com. Thanks for the fun read, Hilda. Smiles and blessings Bill

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 4:57:00 PM

I also checked my ancestry. I have many countries in my background with a few additional races. I love America. I wish all Americans would.

Karen Jones

Date: 3/16/2024 2:44:00 PM

Fun and engaging I was hooked and want to know more about him after he got to America!

Karen Jones
Date: 3/24/2024 11:23:00 PM

Most do love America and what she represents a new start for some. But not all.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 4:54:00 PM

It's pretty certain he had to start at the bottom and work his way up. There are thousands of stories of Irishmen and the lives they led. Some became great Americans, some became gangsters. Hopefully, they love America.

Deb M

Date: 3/16/2024 2:16:00 PM

Love it Hilda!! Fun ,great rhyming and a real catchiness to it! Debx

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 3/16/2024 2:28:00 PM

Thank you. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you.