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LITERARY NOOK
A sonnet for St. Patrick’s Day
The word “duende” is used in Spanish and Chamorro languages. English speakers use the Irish Gaelic word leprechaun, which has the same meaning. A shanachie is a teller of old tales and legends. “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future” is an old Irish blessing. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Duendes Dance from Dublin to Dan Dan
Leprachauns are loose all over the place
from the Mariana Trench to outer space
from downtown Agana to Adelup duendes
dance a fairy loop, leprachauns know the scoop
on Rota from Wedding Cake Mountain to
Sinapalu guaha binadu an man dana todu
from Tinian’s Magpo Heights to Marpo Valley
guaha katdon pika yan bula donne sali
from Saipan villages Gualo Rai to Garapan
plenty kim chi, bifstek,and stir fry in the pan
from Susupe Beach over to San Vicente
adobo and tinola they got more than plenty
on Naftan Rock sits Pepe Batbon Connolly
a fat old leprechaun shanachie wannabe.
JOEY ‘PEPE BATBON’ CONNOLLY (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Joey aka Pepe Batbon is a retired educator who taught in the CNMI, NOLA, and LVNV. He is a sonnet practitioner who enjoys stargazing.
