Irish Poems

In view of the fact that St. Patrick's Day is nigh upon us, I thought that perhaps it would be in order to post these two lovely Irish poems I found in my great big poem book (which has proved very useful in finding poems for every occasion.) Also, this is a good excuse to post these gorgeous pictures of the Irish countryside! I declare, the British Isles may have the most  beautiful scenery on earth!
 The first poem is called.......

The Lake Isle of Innisfree
   By W.B. Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake waters lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.


I'm not entirely certain what all of it means, but I think it is very beautiful. To me it sounds like perhaps it is about someone who is tired of the hustle and bustle of his life and is longing to return to a place where he may have some peace-- the lake isle of Innisfree. Maybe?  I don't know. What do you think?

It's such a romantic setting, do not you think?  

                    
The second Irish poem I found, which is now one of my favourite poems, is called......

A Piper
  By Seumas O'Sullivan

A piper in the streets today
Set up, and tuned, and started to play,
and away, away, away on the tide
Of his music we started; on every side
Doors and windows were opened wide,
And men left down their work and came,
And women with petticoats coloured like flame,
And little bare feet that were blue with cold,
Went dancing back to the age of gold,
And all the world went gay, went gay,
For half an hour in the street today.


This one I can comprehend much better; I think it sounds a bit like a Mark Knopfler song, actually! Anyways, those are my two favourite Irish poems of late! I hope you enjoyed them!


  Very Truly Yours,

                   Emma Jane