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| Story ID: | 598 |
| Written by: | Veronica Breen Hogle (bio, contact, other stories) |
| Organization: | Irish Cultural Events |
| Story type: | Poem |
| Location: | Carlow, Dublin, Ireland & Buffalo, NY |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Person: | Myself |
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My life is ordinary I haven’t been conferred with honorary degrees become rich or famous discovered new cures or written books on knowledge to advance the world Forty two years ago, I came alone to America A country where I was offered the chance of a better life I embraced opportunities to adapt, to learn, to work to become what I could be most things worked out well but there were disappointments Still, I am content But a piece of me often yearns for Dublin the smell of flowers and fruit in Moore Street the jostling crowds the fumes from the double-decker buses the sounds of trains and church bells in my childhood town of Bagenalstown quiet walks along the lush banks of the Barrow River escorted by regal white swans I also long for the family and friends I loved and left scattered all over Ireland there are even times I just miss the grey, gloomy days and the rain I especially miss the cosy houses offering unconditional friendship an unscheduled heart-to-heart chat afternoon tea and hot buttered scones Still, every 4th of July when I hear the brass bands play ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ watch the stars and stripes dance in the wind join rousing voices to sing ‘America the Beautiful' gaze in wonder as fireworks explode in the night sky my eyes mist over fully aware that I am lucky I attained the American Dream a home in a country to call my own What contributions did I make to the country that said "Yes, we'll give you a green card?" America now has the family I created three generations of healthy, loving, hard working people settled close together in Buffalo, New York Because of this united family my ordinary life has become ... e x t r a o r d i n a r y. |
