An Irish Heart

Fair Erin’s shore calls loudly
to her children far away
whose families had to leave her
to keep starving death at bay.

Her siren songs still call us
across these many years:
the echo of the uillean pipes
still brings forth heartfelt tears.

The ballads, myths, and legends,
are taught to us from birth:
the poets, heroes, kings, and knaves
prove well seanachie’s worth.

Though we may not be with her,
we’ve been too long apart,
we’ll always have her with us
within an Irish heart.

     —Seamus OFionnain