J.M.J.

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Hello, my Friend!  Hello today!

I hope you are in a good way!

No matter rain, no matter shine,

I always hope your day is fine!

I am a day early today,

‘Cause tomorrow I’ll be away!

I’ll be away for Irish fun,

But when I’m home, and it is done,

I know that talking we will do.

I am so happy to know you!

I’d like to speak to you right now

About green shamrocks and just how

They helped St. Patrick teach of God

On beautiful dear Ireland’s sod.

It seems to me that I do see

Grand shamrocks everywhere I be*!

No wonder St. Pat thought to tell

Of God, with shamrocks…and told well

Of Holy Spirit, Father, Son…

That all Three Persons are God, One!

     

Our Good St. Pat, he must have seen

The shamrocks in our fields of green!

Just everywhere you look you’ll see

That’s where, be sure, some shamrocks be*!

A shamrock… just to tell its tale

Grows in green grass on hill and dale.

I don’t think for grass there’s a need…

Shamrocks have joy…never think “weed!”

See pretty flowers?   Look around…

Maybe there’s shamrocks on the ground!

The Irish word is said Seamróg…

Combination — clover and óg.

“Little” clover is what this means…

Color’s all different shades of greens!

They may have blooms…some of you know,

The little flowers they can show.

     

With just one stem, having three leaves,

St. Patrick taught of God with ease.

There is more to the story, though…

And it is something most don’t know.

It has to do with us, wee folk;

How we did help when St. Pat spoke.

We listened to him with great care,

But none could see…we hid somewhere

So we could hear and none could see.

Most times that’s how it has to be.

But we Leprechauns love St. Pat…

His kindly truths and great big hat!

To help him we did want to do.

So we just did what we best knew.

We tried to help him find a way…

To find a way of how to say

Just what the Trinity does mean…

What we knew well were fields of green!

So there we looked to find a clue…

And then we saw just what to do!

God helped us just to understand

What help could be from our grand land!

We thought our shamrock might be key

For teaching of the Trinity!

St. Pat, when he heard of this plan

Told us we’d done great work for man!

He said this small three leave-ed plant

Just made him want to happy-chant!

He’d been struggling to find a way…

He just couldn’t think of how to say

That God does love us all so much,

And that there’s Three in One Who touch

Us all and help in every way.

How to teach this…for this he’d pray.

He was so thankful, he told us!

He told us thanks a thousand-plus!**

And that’s the Leprechauns wee tale

Of how we looked on hill and dale,

And helped God answer St. Pat’s prayer

To learn to teach of God’s great Care.

We’ll always have great love for him

Who taught all with vigor and vim…

Who gave his life to Jesus, King!

Then St. Pat, His Good News did bring

To Ireland’s folks that he does love

With great Grace and Love from Heav’n above!

Now as for our wee shamrock tale

Of how we looked on hill and dale

To help St. Pat find a grand way

To teach all that he had to say…

Well…this is what I, Finney, heard,

Could very well be the true word.

St. Pat…he sure did help us all ..

No matter whether short or tall.

So that is all I have to say…

Right now, I’m in a sleepy way!

It’s nap time for this Leprechaun,

And soon, to dreamland I’ll be gone!

I am so glad we talked today.

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #33)

 J.M.J.

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Hello, my Friend!  Hello today!

I hope you are in a good way!

No matter rain, no matter shine,

I always hope your day is fine!

Have you ever been to the sea?

It’s a place I just love to be.

If you’ve been, I think that is grand!

How wonderful is sea and sand!

But if you have not yet gone there,

I hope you can some day that’s fair.

A fair day gives us bright sunshine,

And helps a “sea-day” be so fine!

Sometimes when I just need to be

Away…quiet…alone with me…

I like to walk down by the sea

To hear what God might say to me.

A Leprechaun is quite unique,

Because it’s “natural” that we seek

The helps from God He always gives,

To all creation, each, that lives.

We don’t feel so “smart” as to fuss

About what God does give to us.

We know it’s always for the best,

And never just a “needless test.”

His Peace stays with us, as we live

Each day with just what God does give.

Our special task…His treasure-care…

He knows that we’ll be always where

We need to be to get it done

Before we go and have our fun!

But…back to being by the sea…

The breeze, the water, sand…and me…

It is so nice to feel the air…

And, simply, just to sit right there!

I watch the water move and flow…

It seems to know just where to go.

Sometimes it breaks upon the rocks

And acts like it is full of shocks!

Like being taken by surprise…

Its sprays are lovely to my eyes!

The rocks seem like they want to wait

And be real sure they won’t be late,

To be there when the waters come,

From where God sends the waters from!

So, I think that the joyful sprays

Are how the water laughs and plays!

The Sun joins in and plays a part

Of pouring glimmer, for a start…

Sun also warms and brightens days

And brings more joys in all these ways.

They work together…sun and sea,

And can make things go nice for me!

 

Water’s flying here…flying there!

Go up!  Go down!  Go everywhere!

But water, too, can misbehave!

That’s when the rocks do try to save

The waters’ flow and set it right,

In its direction, day and night!

These things I watch down by the sea.

Such gifts they are from God to me.

There’s so much more that I could tell.

More tales I know to tell so well!

But just for now let’s think of seas…

Cool waters, blue sky, sand, and breeze!

This thinking helps me know so well

That only God can really tell

Me all there is I need to know…

As I watch His waters flow.

I am so happy to be here.

I know there is no need to fear.

God made the rocks and sun and sea,

And, graciously, He made small me!

I am so glad we talked today!

                                  God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote 32)

J.M.J.

+

Hello, my Friend!  Hello, today!

I hope you are in a good way!

No matter rain, no matter shine,

I always hope your day is fine!

I’d like to speak of clouds today!

I hope, with you, this is ok.

I’ve seen so many clouds so fine.

Sometimes they even join sunshine.

The colors, shapes, and quantity,

Make clouds often a sight to see!

They can be white and fluffy, too,

Which makes the sky so bright and new!

Fluffy, though, isn’t always so,

Streaky and gray might also show.

I’ve heard fancy names for a cloud…

Not so easy to say out loud!

Cumulus, cirrus, stratus, too…

These names sound familiar to you?

Good for you if, indeed, they do!

Then you have seen skies not all blue!

  

     

     

But there is something else to say

About clouds in the sky each day.

And that is that a cloud has done

Something even better than fun!

That clouds give rain is very grand,

To help the plants in our fine land…

     

     

To help the green grass grow so well,

Is also wonderful to tell.

But even better than all that…

Even nicer than a green hat…

Lord Jesus, Who is King of Kings,

For Whom we know each Angel sings,

He chose a cloud to be His Throne

And set a fine, grand heav’nly tone,

By lifting high the Son of God,

Thus giving clouds a Mighty Nod!

To carry Him high in the sky,

Home to Heaven, is the reason why

I thank the clouds for their fine care,

In helping God’s Son to get where

He would be Home and helping all…

No matter whether tall or small!

But that’s not all, for it is said,

That after He rose from the dead,

And clouds helped Him to rise to Heav’n,

There is still more that will be giv’n!

He’ll come again in that same way,

When He rose to Heav’n on that day!

Seated at His Father’s right Hand,

He rules as King of every land.

Of all of this, St. Pat did tell…

Of Jesus, King, He taught so well.

The clouds, when called, will do for Him,

What He asks, with vigor and vim!

We, Leprechauns…we know all this.

We know it is the Truth…yes…’tis.

But, oh my, my…I’m sleepy now…

And hungry, too.  I don’t know how

To stay awake to first eat some…

So I have strength for Kingdom come!

How grand ’twill be when that fine day

Brings all of us to Heaven’s way!

But I’m so glad we read today!

                                      God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote # 31)

J.M.J.

+

I, Finney, say, “Hello! Hello!”

So glad you’re here, by now you know!

And if you don’t, then let me say,

I am so glad you’re here today!

I have to tell you what I’ve seen,

As I walk on our fields of green!

These grains of earth just piled high

As if they’re reaching for the sky!

  

For each and every little hill

Has been built with such mighty skill.

The grains of earth each in its place,

Seemed put so neatly in its space!

I saw them, too, as I looked down,

The little ants…some black, some brown!

  

  

They each find their own ant-hill hole,

And building seems to be their goal.

A grain of earth each carries out.

It’s plain, their work, they’re all about!

Their homes are built with earnest care.

Their hills…amazin’…everywhere!

There’s no one place where they belong;

Could be a meadow with bird’s song…

Could be in dirt or grassy ground…

Or in some funny spots all ’round!

  

  

  

You must look close to see them there…

They really could be anywhere!

  

They’re on the ground and on a tree!

All needs be done is look and see!

  

Sometimes they’re dusty…sometimes clean.

But no matter, fun to be seen!

  

They work so hard, each of the ants.

‘Tis strange, though, no green shirt or pants!

And no green cap or pot o’ gold…

Like’s always been from times of old!

For ants it must be different, though.

Their work, from God, they surely know!

I wonder if they know St. Pat,

Or the Fianna*, and all that?

I know they’ve so much work to do.

How do they have time for play, too?

I can’t see any balls to play,

Or hamper’s filled for summer’s day,

With food for picnickin’s fun way!

Hmmm…that sounds so good for today!

I think I’m glad I’m not an ant.

A Leprechaun just simply can’t

Forget about the pot o’ gold

Whose tale’s been told from times of old!

This is our work, giv’n us by God,

Our work here on grand Irish sod!

Thank goodness, too, for these poor ants.

Who do not have green shirt or pants,

They work and work…too hard for me!

I simply need to play, you see!

Watchin’ these ants has worn me out…

I’ve been a really grand ant-scout.

But, oh my goodness, ants can walk

To here and there without much talk!

Well, that just wouldn’t be for me!

I am so glad I’m just Finney!

I’m happy you read this today!

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #30)

J.M.J.

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I, Finney, say, “Hello!  Hello!”

I have something so fun to show

To you which means so much to me.

Bet you’re thinking, “What could this be?”

Where I come from is by the sea.

Its salty sea air’s so lovely!

The green’s like none you’ve ever seen!

How I do love those fields of green!

     

     

‘Tis Ireland I am speaking of.

Seems like a place in Heav’n above!

The flowers are so bright and fair…

So beautiful, beyond compare!

     

The animals who share the land

Were chosen special by God’s hand

To live in Ireland…help to care,

For Irish folk who do live there!

Ireland’s name is also Éire,

And to say this…sounds like air-uh!

Its ancient times are like it’s now,

Though it is hard to explain how…

The ancient homes are not all gone.

“Tis true, says I, a Leprechaun!

Those ancient homes still tell the tale.

They, in their witness, do not fail!

The mists of time have been so kind.

They’ve left some ancient sense behind!

It’s all around on Irish sod.

The then and now…still fresh from God!

This history’s not told with ease;

So much to tell of green and breeze!

Some of you hoped that I would tell

Of secrets that I know so well.

     

Secret work and secret doors

Had their beginnings in our lores.

So, I must go far back in time,

If I’m to tell of what I rhyme!

The ancient tales and history…

They tell us of a great story!

And though its telling is so fun,

As I said…not easily done!

So, we’ll talk only of a part,

And this will give us a good start.

Beginning is the sure first step.

So, here we go, with hope and pep!

Long, long ago…we have been told

That Irish folks, in times of old…

They settled and began to be

So happy in this Land, you see.

The first place we will speak about…

So mystical, there is no doubt.

I’m speaking of the sacred hill…

‘Tis Tara I mean and I will

Be first to say this sacred place

Knows many a Leprechaun’s face!

     

‘Tis work we’ve had and that we still

Must do well on this sacred hill.

Its grassy mounds disguise what’s there…

Great secrets underneath somewhere.

Just where and what must not be known.

Not yet because it can’t be shown.

Until the time that’s set by God,

For Tara’s secrets in this sod.

Me Dad is calling to me now.

He says he needs to tell me how

To tell you things of what we know

Without letting some secrets show.

Our sacred trust from times of old,

Has something real to do with gold.

The secret doors do show the way

To places many may not stay!

But Leprechauns protect so well

These places that we may not tell

Too much about just where they lead,

No matter how much some may plead!

But you, my Friend, I tell to you…

Someday I know you’ll know things, too!

What fun for us…secrets to share!

That’s always fun for those who care

To be true Friends, and grow in trust.

To do good things we know we must!

I’m so tired now…time to nap!

I’ll jump in bed…keep on my cap!

I am so glad we talked today.

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #29)

J.M.J.

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I, Finney, say, “Hello!  Hello!”

I am so glad that YOU… I know!

It is so nice to tell today

Of happy fun on Summer’s day!

God gave the sweet green grass for all,

No matter whether tall or small!

To sit, and play, and walk, and run,

On Summer’s day to have such fun!

     

To bring a blanket…pack a lunch,

And sit and rest and munch, munch, munch!

Carrots, potatoes, and fresh cheese…

And sweet apples with honey, please!

I’ll tell you of one “picnic” way,

When we all went one Summer’s day.

 Pronshi, Daíthí, and I, Finney,

Had some lunch made by our Nannie!

Packed in a hamper, neatly done,

Balls to play with…and oh, what fun!

We headed toward the deep, blue sea,

And, oh my-my, we felt so free!

     

The Irish breeze and fields of green…

Such lovely views as could be seen!

We watched for ants who’d love our lunch.

And this was more than just a hunch.

We’ve learned that ants do love to eat

Our food, especially what’s sweet!

With tasty honey as a treat,

We were so careful and so neat.

We didn’t mind if they were near,

Just taking our food was the fear.

So what we did was pick a place

Where we could not see one ant-face!

No trouble, then, for picnic’s day

From pesty ants who’d find a way

To get to Nannie’s food for us.

To have that happen we would fuss!

No worries that would be the case,

So we enjoyed a fine, grand place.

 We ate our apples, honey-dipped…

And fresh, cool water…mmm, we sipped!

Crunchy carrots and sweetened cheese…

Buttered ‘tatoes, eaten with ease…

We ate, and ate, and played, and played.

And prob’ly, way too long we stayed.

But day’s fresh coolness in the breeze,

Coupled with blue-green Irish seas,

Was really too hard to resist,

And caused our grand fun, to persist!

But then the Sun was not so bright.

We looked up at the sunshine’s light,

And saw the dark cloud moving in;

Then seeming like some rain would win!

     

We knew, to head for home,  ’twas right,

Before the Sun was out of sight.

But it was such a day of fun!

No sad regrets for anyone!

So, if some Summer’s day looks fine,

Just take the day as a grand sign,

That God has blessed you, and pack things,

That someone, for a picnic, brings!

Then find a spot, so nice and grand,

On some green, lovely piece of land.

Just rest, and play, and have some lunch,

With yummy foods on which to munch!

 Then take the time to tell to me,

Just where you went…what you did see…

I’ll love to hear the tale you tell!

I know you’ll tell it very well!

I am so glad to be with you,

And that my stories you like, too!

And speaking of my stories now,

Last time I wrote I told of how

We leprechauns have secrets we

Must keep well hid so that we be

Doing our work, given by God,

On our precious Ireland’s sod.

I showed to you a special door.

There were requests to know of more

Of work we do and where doors lead.

But secret’s trust, I just must heed.

It won’t be long …me Dad will know…

What secrets, to you, I can show.

Be patient now, because I must

Be sure I’m worthy of the trust

That God in Heav’n has placed right here,

With Leprechauns He treats so dear.

I thank you that you came today.

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #28)

J.M.J.

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Hello, my Friend!  Hello, today!

I hope you are in a good way!

No matter rain, no matter shine,

I always hope your day is fine!

Each day is full of work and play.

Play is fun, and work’s…well…okay. 🙂

We all do have some work that’s ours.

Some works are short and some take hours!

 I do some diff’rent kinds of work.

I find a grateful kind of  perk

In knowing that I do my share

To help with chores…for those I care.

Sometimes for digging work there’s need,

Not always needing a great speed…

But taking time to do work right

Is always in my mind’s eye sight.

And digging, for a Leprechaun,

Is often needed ‘fore day’s gone.

Sometimes this digging needs be done

In places hidden from the Sun…

Where Leprechauns are free to go,

But there are many who don’t know

Just where it is these places are,

And even if they’re near or far.

     

But of this chore I mustn’t speak…

Let us just say no one may peek

To see some places where we dig

And not because we are not big.

‘Tis sacred work we’re called to do

And only known to very few.

Perhaps we’ll speak of this again,

But I’m not sure of where or when.

This workin’s  secret…diff’rent kind…

I just can’t say, hope you don’t mind.

I must be sure to speak’s  okay,

And what exactly I can say.

Me Dad will help me know the way,

And what a Leprechaun may say

About the work we’re chosen for

That isn’t told in Irish lore.

But back to talk of ev’ry day

And work that’s done before we play.

We’ve talked of digging in the ground

We also must rake all around.

Yes, sometimes I do need to rake,

And not always for me own sake.

Me Mum and Dad sometimes need me

To rake up pine cones from the Tree.

 

The Tree helps us in many ways,

With many things on many days.

I’ll tell of this one way right now…

The help that comes from the Tree’s bough.

The bough (or branch), its pine cones drop,

And we don’t want that help to stop!

The pine cones help us to stay warm;

And keep hearth fires in good form.

They give a blaze when fire’s low,

And help the hearth keep its warm glow!

     

I’m almost done with workin’ tales.

Last thing I’ll tell just never fails

To help you know, my work is real…

The absolutely grand real deal!

I’ll tell you of the grand tool box…

That Daíthí loves more than  his socks!

     

Daíthí is a good Friend to me,

I know that we are Family…

But still I think he’s kind to share

The object of his heart’s dear care…

Of his grand tool box, I do tell.

He shares it with me very well.

But I’ve been workin’, as you see,

So very hard and tired I be!

Of workin’ I will speak no more

I think to dreamland I will soar.

And, no, of course, I never snore,

Not even in our Irish lore.  😉

I am so glad we talked today.

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #27)

 

 

 

J.M.J.

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I, Finney, say, “Hello!  Hello!”

This time of year, I guess you know,

The weather’s warm and ev’ry day

We have so much fun time to play.

And, yes, we still get our work done,

Before we go and have some fun!

Daíthí and Pronshi are my Buds!

We’re full of life…we are NOT duds!

We’re cousins, too.  We’re Family.

The bond is deep.  I’m sure you see.

We, Leprechauns, love to play ball!

No need to be too tall, at all!

We run, we catch, we kick, we throw,

Playin’ the best that we could know.

The games are fun;  we play outside.

We love to play the game of “Hide!”

Whoever’s it must try to find

Where we do hide…sometimes behind

The one who’s it, but who can’t see

Where we are hiding…where we’ll be!

Then, when we see that he can’t see,

We run back where it’s “safe” to be!

When we get tired playin’ “Hide,”

We still love to just stay outside!

So, then we get our ball to play;

To try to share is the best way.

Then someone throws after we pick

Who’ll try to hit it with a stick!

First up is Daíthí — first to hit!

He’s sharp and keen and full of wit!

Then if the ball flies high and far,

We’ll think this hitter is a star!

But…if this hitter gets tagged out,

We just play on, no time to pout.

But then we also play kick-ball.

The hardest part is not to fall!

To run and give the ball a kick…

Hard and fast…that does the trick!

  

Here Pronshi leads off with a kick,

And with this game there is no stick!

We kick and run to move the ball.

Playin’ together is the call!

  

But when we play we must take care…

Watch out for others and play fair.

Another fav’rite game to play

Is Bounce and Shoot a certain way.

  

I do quite well to play this game…

My shooting skills have earned me fame!  😉

We make a throw and hope the ball

Goes right between two trees so tall!

It’s not as easy as it sounds.

The ball can go right out of bounds!

But, truth be told, it’s just plain fun

To play so free ‘fore day is done!

When we get home, we’re glad to be

At our grand meal with Family!

We all thank God for blessings giv’n

To each of us from Him in Heav’n.

So, we have talked now of some play

That might just happen on a day.

We, Leprechauns, are happy, too,

To just have time to talk with you!

I, Finney, love that we could talk,

And now I think I’ll take a walk!

I hope you’re peaceful for today.

                                       God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote # 26)

  J.M.J.

+

I, Finney, feel so good today!

The rain has passed and fine’s the way

I feel with all the cool, grand air,

Now that the weather’s bright and fair!

Don’t get me wrong now, I don’t feel

That rain’s no fun or a bad deal.

It’s just so nice when sun breaks through

And gives a day that feels brand new!

  

It’s fresh;  it’s clean;  its coolness soothes…

It causes me to want to choose

The rain to come again someday

To help us feel refreshed this way!

After the rain, it feels so fine!

The raindropped leaves, they sure do shine.

  

The air feels “washed” and brightened clear,

And even new sounds  you can hear.

The water rushes…leaves give drops.

It seems the “water” never stops!

It fills the streams and wets the ground…

New “green” and flowers all around!

  

The corns’ grown higher…gardens burst,

As if, oh my, they had such thirst!

They needed water so…to grow,

From seeds in Earth someone did sow.

From rainy day to sunny bright,

The rain has brought a wondrous sight!

  

 

The flowers, grass, and trees are “glad…”

Without the rain, they’d be so “sad.”

  

  

  

I love the yellows…pinks… that grow,

And all the reds that flowers show.

  

Some plants so richly show their green,

And trees complete the heav’nly scene!

  

     

So, how can we not love the rain?

When what comes from it is so plain…

The beauty of the plants and trees,

And all the flowers and cool breeze!

God’s gifts to us… these gorgeous things!

It shows us how all Nature sings…

How God wants for us all things bright,

That give such wonder to our sight.

  

  

To show you all these lovely scenes,

With many, many shades of greens,

Has made me feel it’s time to nap.

And though I have no sleeping cap,

I’m sure I’ll have nice rest today!

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #25)

 

 

 

J.M.J.

+

I hoped that we could talk today

Of how to have a friendly way

To those with whom we think we’re Friends,

And hope our Friendship never ends.

 It is so fun to laugh and play.

But there is so much more to say.

I, Finney, know that good St. Pat

Taught peace and love and God knows that

We pray and then we try so hard

To live the ways as said by God.

To be a Friend, so kind and true,

I would so like to be for you.

I think St. Pat would say to us

That first we must try not to fuss,

And always think of others’ needs.

Then Grace will show us where this leads.

I think St. Pat would also say

To be a Friend in every way.

St. Pat taught ways of giving Love…

A Friend’s a blessing from above.

A Friend is precious…gift from God.

Just to “be there” can be so hard.

But though it can be hard to show,

You want your Friend to always know

That you will try your very best

And trust that God will do the rest!

Sometimes things happen we don’t plan.

It’s then we do the best we can.

It’s always fun, when things are good.

When things go how we think they should.

But sometimes plans do not work out,

And, boy, it makes you want to shout!

But God knows best and though it might

Appear as if things aren’t right,

Perhaps they’re better than it seems,

When things do go just as God deems.

Your Friend and you might not agree…

That doesn’t mean you have to be

Upset and angry, don’t you see…

Things can be handled lovingly.

Sometimes the very best of Friends

Can find that if their Friendship “ends”,

Misunderstanding could be so,

And one no one could really know…

Just different ways of seeing things…

Like two fine bells with different rings!

Each can ring in a grand fine way,

But each has its own sound each day.

And maybe St. Pat might say, too,

Sometimes it will be up to you

To be first to say a kind word,

No matter what you might have heard.

When with a Friend, try hard to see

The ways your Friend knows how to be.

And if they’re diff’rent from your ways,

Just know, for this, true patience pays.

I pray for patience every day,

Because I need it, I do say!

A true good Friend, I want to be.

A true good Friend, for you, from Me!

      

I am so glad we talked today.

                                    God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #24)