Irish Spitfire: A St Patrick's Day Poem

As a little girl
with a head full of reddish-brown curls
and a fiery temper
I lived up to my Irish blood

Older relatives were always pointing out
that I was the only grandchild
to get my great-grandfather's red hair
and how appropriate it was on me

I was amused by the attention
and proud of the fact that I was the one
to carry on our Irish heritage
though I never knew my red-headed ancestor

By my teen years
my Irish blood had shown itself
on so many occasions
that I was known as the Spitfire

Now I'll admit there were times
the fire that runs through my veins
has caused me more trouble
than a more subdued person would encounter

But that Irish blood has also risen
in times that a fire was needed
to handle great injustice
or stand between a friend and a foe

And my fiery blood is what keeps me going
through the difficulties of life
when hardships can only be conquered
by a passion to live

So I am unashamed
of my fiery personality
and proudly bear the family name
Irish Spitfire