A Waterford Poem
for
Poetry Day Ireland
Today the Thursday 27 April 2017 is Poetry Day Ireland so we thought we’d share A Waterford Poem with you. This year’s theme is Poetry Connects, and we’re inviting everyone to join-in, link-up, and connect through the power of poetry.
We thought we’d share A Waterford Poem with you about Ballybricken in Waterford City to mark the day. We don’t know who wrote the poem but we think it’s a great read and written from the heart.
Ballybricken
Were you ever in dear old Waterford, where flows the silvery Suir,
Where grass is green the whole year round, and the air is mild and pure?
I love the town and all around, and will love it true till death,
But the hill of Ballybricken most, for there I first drew breath.
For twelve long years I’ve parted it, but every night that flies,
Brings back in dreams the well-known spot before my longing eyes,
Where the very path and roadside ways with flowers are blooming fair;
The summer sun shines nowhere else so bright as shines it there.
If ever you want a comrade true to risk his very life,
If you want a friend, a pound to lend, or a faithful Irish wife;
If ever you run for Ireland’s sake, and know not where to hide,
Then face to Ballybricken and ’tis there you’ll be supplied.
And often have I fixed my mind on wandering home once more,
To feast my eyes with one last look – more prizes than golden ore,
But then my friends and youth’s compeers are spread o’er land and sea,
And ‘neath the roof my fathers raised there’s now no home for me.
Oh! the weary, weary yearning and the longing day by day,
The life stream slowly ebbing, ebbing like the tide away –
To watch the hastening swallow come with each return of May,
And feel our only homestead is our narrow bed of clay.
God bless you, dear old Waterford, hard by the silvery Suir!
God bless your hills and sweeping vales, your balmy air so pure!
And may He prosper every home that studs your fertile plains,
But the Hill of Ballybracken most, for there my heart remains.
There are a few events in Waterford. There is a poetry reading at lunchtime at The Book Centre in the city with Anna Jordan and Colette Colfer. Click HERE for more information. There is also “Words in the Air”: Clodagh Beresford Dunne & David Power at Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, more information HERE. There is “An afternoon of coffee, chocolate and poetry” at 2.30pm Tramore Library, Market Street, Tramore West, Tramore, Co. Waterford. More information HERE. Frank Farrelly launches his new book of poems “Close to Home” at 6.00pm Greyfriars Gallery, Waterford City. More information HERE. “Modpoets” will be at Greyfriars Gallery at 8pm and there is more information HERE.
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