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The Path from Poverty to Plenty

By Pat Gallinagh

Ireland's legacy thru the ages is one of enduring poverty
Along with the brutal domination of an invading monarchy
The image of the poor Irish is one that lingers still
Tho it no longer bares the reality of this nation's prosperous till
The coffin ships, the famine crypts and the "Soupers' kettles that ran dry
Have been replaced by steaming factories, cybernetics, and aircraft in the sky
That has lifted the Celtic tiger above it's European peers
And raised some pointed questions amidst the jubilance and cheers
Does sudden wealth come with some noble obligations too
To help those less fortunate than the newly elevated few?
And does the surge of materialism like a tsunami wave
Threaten to drown the age-old values that some caring natives long to save?
Like the family unit, decency, faith and peace
That seem to be eroding with a golden tide that doesn't cease
Of course it is well known what money cannot buy
Among the list, Happiness, Integrity and Time that passes by
Yet, it is quite certain that there's no turning back the clock
So Ireland must grapple with a fate it cannot block
For the path from poverty to plenty is strewn along the way
With the wrecks of ancient dynasties and empires in decay
The patron saint of Ireland knew that wealth was but a tool
That could be used for good or evil, or squandered by a fool
The Celtic tribes that he converted could be savage when aroused
Yet warm and tender-hearted when generosity they espoused
The nature of the Irish has not been changed by time
And when given more than most, they know that greed is but a crime
And should they shirk this duty, the consequence is clear
The decline and deterioration of this land they hold so dear

But there are many forms of poverty that afflict the human race
The poor of health, the poor of friends and the poor of peace and grace
And those who have abundance should share with those on the other side
Who weren't blessed with these precious gifts, and help to bridge the great divide
Perhaps it's time to ponder the purpose of this life
To make this world a better place free from poverty and strife
For those who come behind us to carry on the torch
To light humanity path of triumph over Nature's deadly force

Author's Note

The inspiration for this effort came from an article in the New York Times by Lizette Alvarez entitled "An Irish conundrum" which claimed that the Republic's gross domestic product per person increased from 70% in 1987 to 136% in 2003 of the European Union per person average and that unemployment fell from 17% to just 4% over the same period. According to the article this new affluence has had some disturbing side-effects. Increased divorce, suicides, incivility and rampant materialism among other things and begs the question "Is this really the purpose of wealth?" This poem tries to answer this puzzle.

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