On June 2, 2003 we left Texas in early afternoon on board British Airways toward Ireland; a very nice flight, I might add. Traveling Eastward, we lost 7 hours in time; I could not sleep one minute on this flight...I was as excited as child! First a landing at Heathrow in London at 7 a.m. on the 3rd - a 9 hour flight with jet-stream tailwinds -  we would then transfer to Aer Lingus for final leg of trip toDublin. My heart is singing...

IRELAND - THE ARRIVING

What is it, this land of ancestry,
that beckons deeply unto my heart?

We are floating above the clouds
to a destination of earlier times and places
that has held my imagination and pulled
  at my heart;
returning as a soul long ago lost in another
  land.

What mysteries will I behold in this land
  of dreams?
What fulfillment will I gain amongst its ruins?
Are there answers to my inner thoughts
  and wonderment?
Does enchantment lay ahead for me?

Echoes swirl in my head that speak to me,
"you are our child that returns to us...
you have taken so long to come home."
Will it be as the echoes say?

My heart quickens as we near the land;
a warmth of home-coming settles over me.
The spirit within me knows this truth:
Ireland, I do belong to you.

(More trip poetry to follow)

© Copyright Jackie (Micke) Jinks, June 2003.

None of these Irish-trip poems have previously been posted
on A.D. No need repeat this acknowledgement again :o)