Carson Maske — National Irish American Heritage Month
In honor of National Irish American Heritage Month, Atlantis is publishing works from students with Irish heritage.
Saint Patty Wasn’t Irish
I have never seen a shamrock
at least not a true one
at least never with all three leaves
not when I was a kid back when I still believed in leprechauns
That emerald leaflet from a holy sermon I never woke for
but it always seemed to mark my American March.
I never understood the language it was spoke in
but the words mattered, the meanings held, the worth was in the sounds of a worldly worship
because it’s a speech that these Celtic designs tracing my bloodline gather to
They carry their ringed cross, running, hugging, embracing, dancing to a song that isn’t played
at a moss covered grave in my chest for a Lord that isn’t dead anymore
but I was raised in a town of Carolina Clovers
their prayer, a chance in a phony belief, marking every holiday
but this green one I hold so holy, and yet, I’m still not sure
I’m not sure that these pressed dried stems I found in my matriarch's Bible
Were they for us? Were they for me?
it was almost 16 years too late till I saw my first shamrock
it was right in front of me, out in the open for everyone to see
We were merely two living beings, caught
staring at the darting hare on a flippin’ threepence
deciding if my harp will stop singing today
and I realize in front of Green and Sun, St Patrick wasn’t Irish.
and why does that make me laugh
maybe because he wanted to follow those snakes,
maybe because he would’ve
maybe because he too, heard the calling of those sandstone cliffs
I lay in a shamrock field now
wondering if my kids will love that broken englishman as I do
wondering if my friends understand the strength of a green ribbon
wondering if my parents will come to church with me
but for now, I’ll settle for the hope
that when I step off this white horse
that old man with the gray beard and the long staff will still be waiting
there on the cliff that changed it all
and when we stare each other in the eye
We’ll cry in name of all things we remembered
and all the things we chose not to do
Carson Maske loves black cats and traditions with his family. At parties, you can find his chief quality snacks at the table, but he will be found playing with pets.