National Adult Literacy Database

April 5, 1999

This poem was written by John Ireland, from Hamilton, Ontario. John was born and raised in Toronto. He left school as a teenager to enter the workforce as his father had passed away. He took the task of supporting his mother and siblings. John now lives on the Hamilton Mountain where he works for various temporary help agencies. He enjoys writing poetry, watching sports and karaoke. John found time to complete his high school education at St. Charles Centre in Hamilton.

Where the Robin Flies

by John Ireland

Someday I'd love to take a walk,
To where there are no clouds in the skies.
Where the sun is warm and friendly,
To the place where the robin flies.

I'd like to breathe the clean fresh air,
Far away from the noise of the city.
Maybe take a hike, or catch some fish,
While I sing myself a little ditty.

Chipmunks play and squirrels come close,
Where there are no hello's or good-byes,
To forget about my troubles for awhile,
Far awy to where the robin flies.

The beauty of this fresh green earth,
The flowers are a wonder to my eyes.
I long so much just to be alone,
At the place where the robin flies.

[This poem was taken with permission from Newsline, the newsletter of the Adult Basic Education Association of Hamilton-Wentworth, September 1997.]