is, apparently, my leprechaun name,
and since we are all Irish
on St. Patrick’s Day,

let it be so. Though I pay tribute
to my actual Irish ancestors
named Keeley,

including my grandpa who could
turn on a brogue with a twist
of the tongue,

and his daughter, my mother,
who happily celebrated each
March 17. I envision the two

of them and other ancestors
jollying in the after, those
on whose shoulders

I stand, who paved the way
for Jolly McNoodles and
my sister, Dreamy O’Doodles,

and all who follow us.