Born in Ballyroan
In County Laois
Rooted in Ireland,
Rooted in love,
Rooted in Christ
Rooted in music-
Strong in the roots,
Intertwined in the
Branches and the
Beautiful blossoms
Growing, making
New in Katie and in Danny
Born of the love of Sean and Nancy
Nurtured by them
and Jack and Bridie,
Grandpa and Grandma,
and Aunt Mary too
and Uncle Patrick and Val,
and Aunt Molly too-
as well as timid
beautiful Molly
their dog after
beloved Belle
and Shep and Candy,
All the family of Jack,
and he was so proud
of each one,
and of Mary, his Sister, daughter and
priest.
And all the family of Jack
Were by his side
Day and night
In shifts and
All together,
praying, crying,
laughing, waking
loving, loving
loving him, their gentle love.
And the first time
they were told
God was calling
They waked him
So good, he began
To eat and live again.
He moved his toes to the tunes of
the Ballyroan Band
And squeezed their
hands to the tune of his
Memory Aires, his
trumpet and his sax
for he was music, and music cannot
die.
And yes he hummed
To the Rose of Mooncoin
and is free in Inishfree.
And while his homes were in Coolkerry
and
Northern Virginia
He would go Back
Home to Indiana with dear
Nancy who lovingly,
with friend Dawn
Fed them all.
And remember his
Beloved Bridie Beale
With In the Mood
And let me call you Sweetheart,
And all the family and dear friends
With Irish eyes are
Smiling and
Danny Boy,
So for them
Happy days were
here with him
and they will come again
when he blares it
out and gathers them in, with him,
when the Saints Go Marchin’ In.
(Dr. Judy Lee, 11/8/12)
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