She has donned jaunty tophats
“Kiss me, I’m Irish” buttons
Appropriated a cultural identity
in pursuit of merriment- and green beer
She has wrapped herself
brown-paper righteous mantled
dutifully protective daughter
of abused Mother Earth
She has belatedly shrugged off
insidious green-eyed monster
wound round wanting thoughts –
re-cloaked in gratitude
She has sported gills
green-tinged and heaving
borne of over-exposure
to life’s depravity
She bedecks tattered
soul in verdant wreaths
woven fragrant glimpses
of hope’s emerald spring
