One March college spring break, I worked at a mall booth. 
Was hired to pretend I was Irish clothed in a green dirndl
mini skirt,hair in pigtails but the freckles were mine.
Doled out carnations tinted green. People scooted away
fearful I was asking for cash. “No, they’re free!” 

Was expected to hand deliver 4 dozen before my shift ended.
They feared I was like the Hare Krishna at airports that hunted
you down for donations as they shoved a flower in your face
in the 70’s. Second duty was to get the largest Irish family
to register for a prize.

Mind you this was not an area heavily populated with Irish
but it was St. Paddy’s Day week.
Another holiday tarnished with me as the foil.