A poem for St. Pat's Day

Last Before America 

A spiral of green hay on the end of a rake:

The moment is sweat and sun-prick — children and old women

Big in a tiny field, midgets against the mountain,

So toy-like yet so purposed you could

Take this for the Middle Ages.

 

At night the accordian melts in the wind from the sea

From the bourne of emirgrant uncle and son, a defeated

Music that yearns and abdicates; chimney-smoke and spindrift

Mingle and parts as ghosts do. The decree

Of the sea’s divorce is final.

 

Pennsylvania or Boston? It was another name,

A land of a better because an impossible promise

Which split these families; it was to be a journey

Away from death — yet the travelers died the same

As those who stayed in Ireland.

 

Both myth and seismic history have been long suppressed

Which made and unmade Hy Brasil — now an image

For those who despise charts but find their dream’s endorsement

In certain long low islets snouting towards the west

Like cubs that have lost their mother.

— Louis MacNeice

 

 

The "Hy Brasil" mentioned in this poem is a mythical island off the coast of western Ireland. It was on navigation charts until the middle of the 19th century. You can see it at the center bottom of the map at the top.

My sisters and I all have framed copies of this equally mythical stamp celebrating the island. Our family name — Brazill — is derived from the island. A very Irish name that only those who know their Irish history and mythology recognize — on St. Patrick's Day or any other day.

Comments

[Susan Adler Sobol]

I can trace my interest in reading to the wonderful collection of mythology I discovered in Mrs. Stine's 3rd grade classroom. At one time, I considered persuing studies in folklore and oral tradition at the graduate level. At this point, my recollection of Irish tales is fuzzy but "Hy Brasil" was familiar. What a fabulous origin for your family name!

[Lisa at Greenbow]

How cool is that! You actually know where your name came from. I have a touch of Irish in my DNA. Who knows from where?? Happy St Patty's day to you.

[Jennifer]

My Great Grandfather Thomas Patrick O Rielly came over from Ireland. He became the chief of the fire department in St. Louis Illinios. My Mom looked the most Irish in her family and around age two she was nick named The Mic! My Mom went by Mickey her entire life. She died on March 8, 2014. She loved St. Patrick's Day! Back in 1967 when I was born she wanted to name me Rielly but my Dad wouldn't have it.

[Linda Brazill]

My great-great grandparents came from Co. Cork and all the rest of my relative have very typical Irish names like McCarthy and Shea. But I think we have the coolest name!

[Linda Brazill]

Thanks for sharing your story and history!