Happy Paddy's Day!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here's a poem by W. B. Yeats (this one is special to me because my own grandfather was in the airforce):

An Irish Airman Foresees His Death
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss,
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.

here's a great irish song, while we're at it. this is a traditional song that is about poverty, oppression, and the triumph of the human spirit, as sung by a great Irish Punk band (yeah, Irish heritage is not solely about alcoholism): Fields of Athenry