The Wild Geese

'Wild geese are very numerous in this district, especially around Lough Esknahinny.' —Cork Examiner, December , . I walked by Esknahinny at the waning of the moon, As star by star came peeping to some celestial tune. The little waves crept to me to call and fall away, O lone I was and lonesome to meet the breaking day. I heard wind voices whisper and leaned to hear them speak; I saw the moving shadows—and feared to turn and seek. The slender reeds were shaking between me and the light, And loneliness fell from me with the treasure of the night. I heard dark wings flap by me towards the rising sun, Dear birds so swift in passing I blessed them every one. The wild geese had come back again, they passed me in the night. Between me and the waning moon I watched them in their flight. I had walked the paths of Kerry and dared not say the word; I had trod the roads of Leinster all broken by the sword. O Ulster, Munster, Connacht, He gave Who can restore, The Wild Geese, the Wild Geese, they have come home once more.