The ides of March had passed; ‘twas near
the crocus-blooming time of year,
when frost adorned dawn’s window panes
and ice-capped holes pocked morning lanes;
And I had grown to small estate,
two years of schooling in my pate,
when Papa called me to his side
upon a dark’ning eventide
to spread before my wond’ring gaze
a lineage of bygone days;
including those, named in his tome,
who’d called the Em’rald Isle, “Home.”
His earnest words instructed me
(as I, transfixed, leaned on his knee)
our kin were goodly Protestants
who bore their neighbors’ harsh affronts:
And those who’d honor them, at least
(to show their mem’ry had not ceased),
wear orange on Saint Patrick’s Day,
fam’ly allegiance to display!
[No, not one hint of Cath’lic green
upon your person should be seen!]
With firm intent a little lass
in orange headed off to class...
They didn’t ask, they didn’t care,
my protests fell on empty air
as ev’ry pincher ran to sound
the tale some dummy was around
without the sense, Saint Patrick’s Day,
to have a bit of green displayed!
“I’m Orange -Irish!”
Yes, I trow,
but wiser now, than long ago!
Author notes
ides of March: the 15th day of March, imbued with a sense of foreboding by the soothsayer's warning to Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March,"
pate: the brain, or top of the head
trow: believe, think, suppose (rhymes with “go”)
Picture Prompt Three -green hanger, link - green
Dad’s sense of humor “hung me out to dry!”
*With no intent of any offense to my cherished Catholic friends!
In a list
A contest entry
- St.Patrick's Day Contest - WIN A GOLD MEMBERSHIP! by Kari.
2400 points, ended March 29, 19 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Write me funny! by Rebekah-Ann.
1400 points, ended June 2, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Oh this is sooo cute! Congrats on the gold trophy!!! I enjoyed the rhyming scheme and overall tone.
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That was wonderful to read.
Well deserving of the shiny.
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This was amazing
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Bravo.
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very well done on the allegiance to the orange. I used to love that song by the Irish Rovers, "For me father, he was orange and me mother, she was green."
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Ahh this is just amazing. I love how you have written this. Very well done indeed.
Thanks so much for your entry.
Gaylene
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Incredible, the heart of the irish. A bold display indeed! Wonderfully written! Kudos on heritage knowledge of the Protestants! Well done!
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A great poetic reflection
and a lesson for this Southerner as well! This is the kind of poetry that lives on - for it shares with good meter and measure and allows us to glimpse at life beyond our simple selves. This is surely a winner in my eyes! j y
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Just a note - I checked the rules and there was something about not using a picture!
I think this is rather cute, and after all, St Patrick's day is also a public holiday in Ulster. Fun poem - well done.
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Thank you! I missed that, and have corrected it.
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N-nno of ffence t t aken
I'm French Canadian Catholic. Come to think of it my Mother's Father was part Irish and Protestant...
But from whence I hail EVERYONE is Irish on St. Paddy's Day - especially politicians, South Boston and the Boston Celtics!
Very funny poem. Great flow, story, rhythm and rhyme.
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My daughter couldn't figure out why I would drag along a package of cute green stickers whenever St. Patrick's Day fell on a Sunday...sure enough, there was always some little Sunday School soul (or multiples) whose Mom had forgotten! I don't think I've forgotten to wear green since that early episode!
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