In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

With the world currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Patrick’s Day this year is a little different than most. Many parades are canceled, and a lot of pubs and bars are closed, so people may be feeling out of sorts as they try to figure out alternative ways to celebrate the holiday. Other than drinking a Guinness or eating some corned beef and cabbage in the solitude of your own home, what can you do to recognize the day?

A typical St. Patrick's Day parade. (Personal collection/Karen P. Peirce)

After thinking through some options, I’ve decided to offer up a few original St. Patrick’s Day-themed poems. These poems take a variety of forms, most of which I don’t usually write. As I’ve mentioned before, I sometimes write poetry, but usually my poems are in free verse. Let me know if you can figure out which forms I’ve tried for this special occasion! 

St. Paddy and the Snakes
There once was a boy named Paddy;
To the snakes he was a baddy.
He trudged through the peat,
Bone sore to his feet.
He truly was a great laddie!

Irish Heather
The Irish heather
lying dormant ‘til July—
Sudden purple bloom

St. Patrick’s Tale
Patrick is a saint of yore,
A man like him ne’er come before,
Truly Christian to the core.

Rich and famous he was not,
Instead a slave was his life’s lot,
Called to preach was all he’d got.

Keep the faith, dear Patrick boy! Your future’s bright and brings great joy!

A Prayer for St. Patrick
When he went roaming lone along the heath,
His heart was sad, his thoughts sunk oh so low,
And he was sure no one could fall beneath
His current state of trouble here below.

His mind it drifted to his past so free;
His house, his home, his friendships seemed secure,
And cares were none so he could simply be
A boy whose thoughts and acts could just be pure.

But then life changed and hardships came his way;
With diligence he met them and with faith.
One day again he knew his joy would play
For all to see, and save he would each wraith.

Oh dear St. Patrick, may our God bless thee
With life forever lasting, may it be!

St. Patrick’s Day is Here!
St. Patrick’s Day is here!
Put on green clothes;
Have a hearty drink of beer.
Let the cares of the day slip away!

Put on green clothes!
Don’t be shy;
Let the cares of the day slip away.
Be light and happy once and for all!

Don’t be shy!
Listen to the bagpipes;
Be light and happy once and for all.
Dance a jig to the lilting tune!

Listen to the bagpipes!
St. Patrick’s Day is here;
Dance a jig to the lilting tune.
Have a hearty drink of beer!