The Irish Spirit

for Harry McKillop

I could proclaim and say this man is great

he is but that might miss the point

I have talked and traveled with him widely here and there

cars, trains planes helicopters upon the humble hoof

coming and going to talk to people everywhere

the world is simply better for his enterprise and flair

this quiet man is a most practical dreamer

I know this and more besides

he is a tireless force and high achiever

We have talked in recent years about and around Ireland

of painters poets and patriots of old

how all this is seamlessly a part of who the Irish are

of what we do today

He has come home like many more before

contributing to an Ireland the poets have imagined

he came to see their portraits in the galleries

to trace Ireland’s history in their lineaments

soaking it all up taking it all in

adding to his endless capacity

open to every angle, every new approach

applied later with an easy stride

brilliantly delivered with all his soft Irish audacity