on this day of green
people adorn in
emerald, lime and kelly;
they gather
for green beer poured
into green mugs,
green cake sliced
with green frosting,
or corned beef simmering
with green cabbage.
symbolic shamrocks
are stamped, printed or tattooed
as a sign of allegiance
to an unknown cause,
when really just another
reason for a party
i share my roots
with the irish,
my blood runs deep
with america’s
early immigrants
i ponder the irony
of america now for
if they emigrated today,
they would surely
be turned away.
3.18.17
