The Bells of St Patrick Dublin

Dublin Sunday afternoon Churches, museums, Trinity College Tourists, thousands of tourists traip Scores of deserted streets, no tourists A homeless man asleep On the sidewalk covered by shadows Just the two of us on Walk Street__ I stroll across the Liffey River Up the hill to St Patrick Cathedral The hour 3pm A long carillion 10 bells from Lord Guinness The Church of Ireland That of the Kings and Queens Twelve bells peal of 10 plus a flat 4th On and on To the glory of the English God On and on they ring Not a prayer on my lips Yet I cross myself To my memory of my Nana A young woman Left Mayo at 14 1916 A strong woman The grip of her hand Me four Nana in her 50s 1952 Falmouth Foresides Maine Gaelic she sang to us in Gaelic Now 2026 I lay outside on the Cathedral lawn I lay on the grass In the shadow of the shadow of the Cathedral spire Safe from the sun Safe from the English god My hand gripping Nana's hand Her grip as always strong