These May days are hot and green and surrounded by
green after the cold dark days of winter, I began to think of
magic. Into my mind came the leprechaun. It seems
there are quite different ideas of what a leprechaun looks
like but, for me, in these hot green hours, he seemed both
beautiful and magical. And that is how he stayed with me
during the many weeks of writing this poem.
LEPRECHAUN
Look at that face!
That’s a leprechaun’s face on that man, that is,
Full of sly humour, of hidden wicked laughter:
But what’s to be done, when a leprechaun won’t love,
Leaves heavy eyes and a dark enchantment
In those blinded by his triangular beauty,
Hearts torn apart with longing.
A beautiful, simple chimera,
Yet no-one can resist him.
See how his knowing music
That never adds up to the sum of its parts
But is enchantment,
Makes the listener dance fast, then faster, faster,
As if we have feathers for toes.
So light, the enchanted dance easily
With the frail and lonely ghosts
Sliding quietly into the living world.
Lovely in themselves but lovelier still
When the leprechaun makes the music cry
And the lost heart cry with him.
Look at that face!
That’s a leprechaun’s face on that man, that is.
Captivating, meant for love to flower in all who see it.
No-one can resist such beauty,
His knowing smile conquering every doubter.
Careful! Careful!
For we all want to taste that mouth of mocking laughter,
See that twinkly-eyed thousand year face smile,
Close our fool’s ears to the harsh voice of sorrow, of hostility,
As that sly and wicked little heart,
That leprechaun,
Mocks us.
©2026 GWEN GRANT
Poems by Gwen Grant 