In the faded glory hotel that stood
at the entrance to the Monastic City
in Glendalough, the harpist sang
her songs in Gaelic and English,
told stories about how she
could skip any class to practice
in the harp room,

At the end of her performance
she said “Any requests?” I asked
for The Parting Glass. “Sing with me”
she smiled  

It was just the two of us at first–
Oh, all the money that e’er I had
I spent it in good company

By the end, it was all of us–
So  lift to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all!

Afterwards we went out under the stars,
stood in the roofless chapels
of nameless saints, listened
to the wind and the ghosts
of their prayers.