Paddy's Wail

Sat in the green grass, he could take it no more.
His body so beaten, his limbs were so sore.

Remembering the family that he had once had.
His eyes filled with tears, so terribly sad.

A beautiful wife with long flowing hair.
To her a family he would surely bear.

Two young sons and a young daughter.
Not knowing then they were lambs to the slaughter.

Times had changed, deprived of his home.
Into the wilderness, he was know forced to roam.

This wasn’t a famine, the potato had failed.
He watched as they took all the grain from his field.

Shipped of to England, hoarded in barns.
Paddy and family were now left to starve.

He buried his daughter, his wife broke her heart.
But for her now this was only the start.

He buried his two sons on the same day.
His wife wouldn’t leave, for there she would pray.

She asked God to take her, up to heaven above.
To be with the family, she so dearly loved.

Paddy watched as his wife, of thirty years or more.
Shed her last tears of sorrow, for her life was no more.

He rose up from the grass, raised his hands in the air.
Screamed out in anger, desperation, despair.

Paddy’s wail could then be heard, right throughout the land.
For this was to be also, his very last stand.

T-C

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