An Buachaill Agus Cailín Sin
(This Boy and That Girl)
by Michael Patrick O'Cahill
This boy of humble origin stood firm, would not be swayed
would not be stopped
nor be dismayed
at every crooked turn in life he found himself alone
and sadness dropped
inside his bones
but still his path lay forward always and he followed on
he'd hope adopt
and never sought a shoulder where he’d rest his head upon
That girl was neither wealthy nor bestowed with waves of love
no, she was shunned
no honored dove
though gifted, envy reared its hateful head and struck her down
with blows that stunned
hate’s thorny glove
and those who should have cherished her would rather see her drown
crushed from above
but somehow, deep within, she found the strength to seek renown
In the hidden clover-covered meadow of forever,
a boy of sullen disposition happened on a girl.
She pierced him keenly with the greenest eyes
that saw so deep inside
through every puzzle and facade--
and poorly manufactured wall she saw it all
and looked way in …
past the complex maze into the hiding place,
the shiv'ring trembling room,
the secret room he thought so safe.
but then he LEAPT!
right up and out flash-quickly with a twisting flourished style!
“I greet you fairest lady, (and I wink just when I smile)
you are ever lovely dear, I think, oh yes, and spritely bright.”
(My heart has never chattered quite so loudly,
but I fear that you have found me and seen here where I dwell,
and it’s not so grand impressive my quaint den do hear me tell.)
“A walk or stroll or just a skip through
this green dandy dell,
might do us well.”
(Oh, I hope she has not heard the screaming sound of love--
for mercy me, my lov'ly girl, 'tis surely I have fell)
She turns out towards the meadow and slyly she looks back--
I take this as her bidding me come forth.
And scared and quaking though I am,
I shall not pass this chance.
In my soul I feel this is
our first grand lovers' dance.
But she said not a word,
as though she need not make a sound.
(it was as though her presence there sufficed)
So talking is left up to me, and she surely found
that uttering and muttering flowed from me quite unbound
and gratefully when e'er I peeked she would still be 'round.
Yes, that was a fact that clearly did astound!
So there they are now frolicking, this boy and, yes, that girl.
It’s clear that something there's a foot.
He’ll tell you that she is the love of his whole life,
there is no doubt.
She’ll tell you she’s no words she’ll add
to this sweet little tale,
but she is here, so why'd you ask cannot you see?
Is there any other girl you see here by his side?
“I won’t waste my precious time by speaking obv'ous things.
You should know it is quite clear
where I choose to abide.”
In ancient times, it is told of souls that they are not bound
but by the belief that they are captive. As centuries passed,
a resignation to captivity became a part of the psyches of
humanity. Time strode forth in innocence, as it always does,
and humanity hid within the shells it found itself born into,
and forgot how to fly. Only one part of humanity was able
to remember that souls are not bound. They are the souls
who discover each other and walk in meadows of clover
and never are beaten by anything the world has to offer.
Such souls are this boy and that girl.
You see, they are Irish.
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