The Irishman’s Dog Keeps Running Astray

It’s the last day before you’re gone.

Nodens’ bench is your seat in the tide, come what may.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

There’s old man Caoimhín with his little dog Ron,

Aran sweater covered in sand, holding a bouquet.

It’s the last day before you’re gone.

Saoirse in sequined scarves still dances on the prom,

Sprinkling tambourine rain over the bay.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

You offer wet muffin crumbs to a white swan

And say to him “Dia dhuit, please stay,

It’s the last day before I’m gone.”

The swan snorts and glides away. With leash forgone,

The Irishman’s dog keeps running astray:

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Ron follows. Your bus leaves tomorrow at dawn,

So pack your bags full of primrose and comfrey.

It’s the last day before they’re gone.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Irish Pronunciation

Nodens = noh-den; celtic god of the sea, hunting, healing, and dogs

Caoimhín = Kwee-veen

Saoirse = Sear-shah

Dia dhiut = Dee-ah gweht; hello

Allison Smith is a senior majoring in creative writing at USC. Her favorite ocean is the Pacific, and when she was little she wanted to be a marine biologist who represents whales in the underwater court of law. When she learned about environmental law, it wasn’t nearly as interesting as the idea she had in her head, so she writes instead.