Before my time my kindred were
As felons in their land,
Because they claimed the liberty
That freemen understand.
Ere I was born in Dublin town
Men’s hearts were still aflame;
They spoke of Allen and O’Brien,
And whispered Larkin’s name.
When I slept on my mother’s breast,
A little babe, and frail,
Young Duffy’s hearse went slowly by
He died in Milbank Jail.
When I could read, I spelt and knew
The lives of patriot men;
When I could write, my pencil traced-
“A Nation Once Again.”
I learnt of those who often knew
The baton and the cell,
Who asked for right by peaceful means-
O’Connell to Parnell.
And once when thro’ the cheering streets
Some “felon” homeward came
I lit, amongst the gayer lights,
My candle’s tiny flame.
When I was but a little child
I ran by Kickham’s side;
I heard his bitter story told
In reverence and pride.
And when with years he passed away,
When life was young and fair,
I stood upon time’s crowded path,
And met O’Leary there.
I saw with pity and amaze
A craven party go,
Obedient to a Scotsman’s word,
For Parnell’s overthrow.
Before Kilmainham’s bloodstained walls
I stood all cold and still;
I lived through all the awful night
That shadowed Pentonville.
If thus o’er one life’s blotted page
Some neutral soul should bend,
He’ll read to-day-as yesterday-
The story without end.
(Dora Sigerson Shorter)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Life Poems, Light Poems, Soul Poems, Youth Poems, Fairness Poems, Name Poems, Pride Poems, Liberty & Freedom PoemsBased on Keywords: gayer, dublin, felons, bloodstained, baton, brien, spelt, scotsman, leary, connell, parnell