Posted in Different Moments

Ireland: Day 10

Escaping early morning
While the fam enjoyed their slumber
We sought historic sanctuary
With only two in number

First it was at Christ Church
Where Vikings Christ adored
Now Strongbow here lies peacefully
As a proper English Lord

The crypt containing treasures
And mummified remains
(And also gift shop tchotchkes,
to the echoes of prayer refrains.)

Next, to old Whitefriar
We met Saint Valentine
Asking Jesus to bless our Love
With His own Love divine

For lunch, the house of Gallagher
For boxty, many ways
As Temple Bar was waking
From the drink of yesterdays

Then back to join as family
Where modern shops abound
To celebrate together
At all the deals we’d found

We smiled at Flying Tiger
And what else was euro trending
Then tasted Butler’s chocolate
Before our day was ending

(Here seems a good reminder
As each day to next flowed
Every time we drove somewhere
From wrong side of the road.)

Posted in Different Moments, Uncategorized

Ireland: Day 9

On the early road to Dublin
I held “Mo Thaisce’s” hand
Our hearts all thumping adventure
Exploring Dublin firsthand

First to the Book of Kells
That deep illumination
Four books in one so long ago
Proclaiming our salvation

The page today was opened
Last chapter by Luke’s hand
“And on the first day of the week”
He thwarted what evil planned

To Trinity College library
Ireland’s treasure store
The harp of Bryan Boru here
Declarations and still more

The voices of the ages
Combined in conversation
Juxtaposed in one long hall
Republic beyond a nation

Next to tower before tea
To swell with family pride
Welcomed well by Salesforce
With refreshments opened wide

Then tea, shopping, and Vikings
We conquered by dividing
All the sights, the sounds, and more
This city was providing

Ending at Temple Bar District
By dining at the Shack
Strong Irish viands here we found
Yet one more thing we lacked

We wandered only briefly
To sound of Trad music afar
At Gogarty’s, O’Connor invited us
To remember where we are

Posted in Different Moments

Ireland: Day 8

A sabbath within a vacation
A rest, no strive to produce
We gathered for worship with family
Partaking of the bread and the juice

Not only the family we came with
But family beyond any doubt
Australia, South Africa, Hungary
Gathered by Christ, and sent out

Then to the shores near Clontarf
To enjoy Beshoff’s gluten-free
Fish & Chips flowed in abundance
While seagulls waited patiently

Inspired by those nearby swimming
An oddly warm Irish Sunday
Deciding a cold plunge sounds lovely
We hiked the Howth cliffside way

To pool in a natural setting
With seals and their mates swimming by
We jumped from the rocks into waters
Bluffs echoed with each joyful cry

On hiking back, we took the long way
Reminded, though green may impress
Some paths contain thorns in abundance
Without caution, it may mean bring distress

Braving such, slowly together
We bid goodbye to “fluffy coos”
To enjoy some evening gelato
Then summit, for spectacular views