The Shamrock

Ireland's emblem is the harp, not many people know
But there is another, in the ground it does grow
A three leafed clover and tiny it may be
Was used by Saint Patrick to explain the trinity.

With its leaves he showed that three is one
The holy spirit, the father and son
The druids first used it in their beliefs
Because it formed a triad with its three leaves.

The druids are gone now, no longer seen
The Christians adopted it, the shamrock green
On Saint Patrick's day it's worn with pride
By all proud Irish when they parade outside.

All over the world it has found its way
From the time of the famine to the present day
Around the world the Irish did roam
And the little green shamrock is a reminder of home.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 8/15/2023 12:35:00 PM
Had to go way back in time to find a poem of yours not commented on yet by me. I really like this, especially having studied a lot about Irish history. I am probably 75% Irish, Scottish and English. Oh and Welsh. Even more Welsh from my grandparents' side. Cool poem.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/15/2023 1:26:00 PM
Thank you very much Andrea, although I was born in the uk my parents were from Co Clare on the west coast of Ireland and I've always had a love for it. Tom
Date: 9/21/2022 2:28:00 AM
Hi Tom, Beautiful poem, with certain symbolic images of things and plants celebrated among different people in different countries and cultures. I have purple shamrock in my garden. We call it butterfly plant....!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/21/2022 3:45:00 AM
Thank you very much Valsa, it's quite common in Ireland and my grandparents always sent some over for ST Patrick's day. Hasn't heard of the purple varietiy. Tom
Date: 1/20/2018 5:19:00 PM
I like this poem. Is the shamrock supose to bring good luck? Your poem is beautifully written. Have a nice day my friend.
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Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 1/22/2018 2:13:00 PM
They are hard to find,I always look for a four leaf clover and never find one.
Cunningham Avatar
Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/20/2018 5:44:00 PM
Thank you Darlene, It is seen more as an independence symbol. But the four leafed ones are considered lucky as they are rarer. Regards Tom.
Date: 1/14/2018 1:45:00 PM
what a lovely informative write Tom. I adore Ireland and hope to return to Dublin again this year. Many years ago I kissed the Blarney stone and wonder if it had an effect on me when i started writing poetry in Nov 2013 as my favourite form of poetry is the limerick form:-)hugs jan xx
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/14/2018 1:55:00 PM
Glad you liked it Jan, funny thing I've kissed it too.Maybe some of the old Celtic magic rubbed off on us.Not a bad thing though.I think of subject and before long I start getting ideas. Must kiss it again some time give me a boost lol. Regards Tom.
Date: 1/10/2018 9:49:00 PM
Beautiful rhyme, Tom! I enjoyed it and learned a couple things from it that I didn't know! Best wishes!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/10/2018 11:22:00 PM
Thank you Melissa. Regards Tom.
Date: 1/5/2018 8:15:00 PM
Awww...I'm guessing you are Irish, Tom? This is such a beautiful write!
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Rhoda Tripp
Date: 1/5/2018 10:55:00 PM
Awesome that your daughter enjoys writing as well. Blessings abound.
Cunningham Avatar
Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/5/2018 10:12:00 PM
Thanks Rhoda, Both my parents were from Co Clare on Irelands west coast, I was born in the UK.So I guess I'm an English paddy. Composed this one last October when I was going over to Ireland for a family reunion and about 78 attended.I read out five poems I had done ,( two are on here) I suppose it all started a couple of years ago when my daughter Jo and I would have a competition to see who could compose the best poem and have been doing it ever since. Regards Tom
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