Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MO CRAOIBHIN CNO (MY CLUSTER OF NUTS - MY BROWN-HAIRED GIRL), by ANNA JOHNSTON MACMANUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MO CRAOIBHIN CNO (MY CLUSTER OF NUTS - MY BROWN-HAIRED GIRL), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A sword of light hath pierced the dark, our eyes have seen the star
Last Line: Mo craoibhin cno!
Alternate Author Name(s): Carbery, Ethna
Subject(s): Ireland; Irish


A SWORD of Light hath pierced the dark, our eyes have seen the Star:
Oh Eire, leave the ways of sleep now days of promise are:
The rusty spears upon your walls are stirring to and fro,
In dreams they front uplifted shields -- then wake,
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

The little waves creep whispering where sedges fold you in,
And round you are the barrows of your buried kith and kin;
Oh! famine-wasted, fever-burnt, they faded like the snow
Or set their hearts to meet the steel -- for you,
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

Their names are blest, their caoine sung, our bitter tears are dried;
We bury Sorrow in their graves, Patience we cast aside;
Within the gloom we hear a voice that once was ours to know --
'Tis Freedom -- Freedom calling loud, Arise!
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

Afar beyond that empty sea, on many a battle-place,
Your sons have stretched brave hands to Death before the foeman's face --
Down the sad silence of your rest their war-notes faintly blow,
And bear an echo of your name -- of yours,
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

Then wake, agra! We yet shall win a gold crown for your head,
Strong wine to make a royal feast -- the white wine and the red --
And in your oaken mether the yellow mead shall flow,
What day you rise, in all men's eyes -- a Queen,
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

The silver speech our fathers knew shall once again be heard;
The fire-lit story, crooning song, sweeter than lilt of bird;
Your quicken-tree shall break in flower, its ruddy fruit shall glow,
And the Gentle People dance beneath its shade --
Mo Craoibhin Cno!

There shall be peace and plenty, the kindly open door,
Blessings on all who come and go -- the prosperous and the poor --
The misty glens and purple hills a fairer tint shall show,
When your splendid Sun shall ride the skies again --
Mo Craoibhin Cno!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net