A little tribute to Irish poetry

Open your hearts to this “much-enduring land”

of “gypsy gold" where “fairies dance under the Moon”.

Here “love long endures”, “in sunshine or in shadow”.

It is a place close to our hearts

where “God has spread His sweetness”,
where a generous abundance of spirit resides,

and people know that

“to fast is as good for the soul as to pray”.

Now, as ever, “sweetly lies old Ireland”.

“May Irish hills caress you” as you journey

with your imagination

through the poetry of its people:

"a new music that brightens everything"
and “all the old songs” that refuse

to let our souls leave this beloved land behind.

Welcome to a little Irish poetry celebration otherwise known as the 19th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture.  I've written the carnival differently this time: in poetic form!  (With help from the poets, both known and anonymous, shared by this edition's contributors: I've borrowed the phrases in quotes above.)

Thanks to each of you that shared an Irish poem or blessing in honor of U.S. National Poetry Month 2010 (I placed links to them within the poem above as well as listed below).  Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day.  Why not carry one around with you to share with others today?  Click on the links within the poem above to find a few possibilities, or write your own!

Thanks to those of you that participated in this edition:

• Gwen Rowley-Kubberness - Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, 19th Edition posted at The Robertson / Kubberness Connection
• Alanna Fant - "Oh Danny Boy" posted at Confessions of a Gene-a-holic
• Family Tree Gal, Carolyn - Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, 19th Edition: All in the Family Way posted at Family Tree Gal
•  Terri O'Connell - Irish Blessings? posted at Finding Our Ancestors
•  Apple - May love and laughter light your days... posted at Apple's Tree 
• Katie - St. Patty's Day Series - In Conclusion posted at The Gene Gleaner
•  Frances Ellsworth - Irish Praises of God posted at Branching Out Through The Years
•  Jennifer Geraghty-Gorman - Remembering the Emigrant Irish posted at 'On a flesh and bone foundation': An Irish History

After poking around these little pockets of Irish poetry on the web, please make plans to join us for the upcoming 20th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture.  Getting back to genealogy, this edition will be entitled "I Speak From Experience".  Deadline for submissions is Sunday, June 27, 2010. For details visit the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture blog.

Last chance: Come celebrate poetry with us!

Things have been busy for me in the real world - I've hardly had time to pay many visits here to Small-leaved Shamrock, and certainly haven't posted much here lately.  One of the projects that I've been busy with is writing poetry this U.S. National Poetry Month 2010.  I hope you've spent a little time with poetry yourself this spring.

If not (or if so!) come join us for the upcoming 19th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture: a celebration of Irish verse.  Otherwise known as the Small-leaved Shamrock Poetry Party!, here are the details:

The Irish have long been known for the "gift of gab".  They have a creative way with words that ranges from the beautifully touching ballad to the belly-laugh limerick.  In honor of U.S. National Poetry Month this April 2010, Small-leaved Shamrock will host a Poetry Party. 

Have a bit of Irish verse that has touched your soul? Know a hilarious limerick that you'd like to share (in good taste, of course)? How about your favorite Irish blessing? Share a poem in the Irish tradition on your blog, and submit it to the poetry carnival.  Can't find something that fits with the theme of your blog? Write a poem of your own and share it with us.

Deadline for submissions to the Small-leaved Shamrock Poetry Party edition of the carnival is Monday, April 26, 2010. This edition will be published at Small-leaved Shamrock on Poem in Your Pocket Day, Thursday, April 29, 2010.

U.S. National Poetry Month 2010 poster