Luck of the Irish

Stories about St. Patrick's Day grow from lore and reality. 

Their words find a home as pen lays to rest. 

It's the day of days in Rockville Centre, my hometown. Green is everywhere. Irish flags, high on the poles sitting next to American flags, flow in the breeze. Green and yellow painted stripes line the village route. Restaurants and bars prepare traditional Irish food and green drafts. The luck of the Irish is anticipated by all. 

Putting on the green is a town ritual. Whether you are Irish by heritage or Irish for the day, there are songs, food, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, and blessings to be shared. 

Even our parish rector recognizes that everyone in town thinks "Irish" on St. Patrick's Day. There is a wink in his eye and a smile upon his face as he recounts a true story about the importance of the parade to the village folk. 

Reporter: Monsignor, will the cathedral be open in time for the St. Patrick's Day Parade? 

Monsignor to the congregation: What do you expect? After all this is Rockville Centre!  

It's the day of days in my hometown today but this weekend is the parade the village waits for all year. 

Below is a poem I created after reading Wonderopolis' Wonder of the Day #1649. The informational text, Why are Four Leaf Clovers So Hard To Find?, proved to be a worthy resource for my blackout poem attempt.

This year I did not have time to purchase a shamrock plant so the blessing below will be my gift to all who read this post. 

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

A special thanks is extended to Denise Buchman, founder of #couragecafe, for posting the beautiful St. Patrick's Day image above, created by @Heatherstilluf. Unknowingly, they cleared a path for me to write this post on celebrating the luck of the Irish.

The Poetry Friday Round-up is being hosted by the artsy poet, Robyn Black at Life on the Deckle Edge. Robyn also is showcasing award-winning student haikus. Please visit.

This post marks the eighteenth post of my Clearing A Path series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC-Day 18.  Please visit the site here to read what other small moments slicers are writing about.