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On Muckish Peak

‘Cross springy grass with sodden shoes

where mountainside and valley fuse,

up zig-zag paths where slopes are steep

trod by the hooves of countless sheep;

and now we too traverse and climb

through clumps of clover, strewn with thyme.

 

Around the scree, across the rocks

and wind-whipped dandelion clocks

until atop that final knoll

where motionless we stood in thrall,

though winds cut like a surgeon’s blade,

to see the vista there arrayed.

 

Fast scudding clouds in sun-swept blue;

beneath, green fields of every hue

where cattle graze and cornfields grow

and through them lazy rivers flow,

until in distant majesty

the roiling white and azure sea.

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Comments

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Stephen Gospage

Thu 2nd Feb 2023 21:36

A definite whiff of Betjeman about this, Trevor, although perhaps he would avoided the climbing. It reads so well. A lovely poem.

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Martin Elder

Thu 2nd Feb 2023 15:50

I am not usually one given to a lot of rhyming , but this works well in this piece. I was drawn in immediately by the title
Nice one

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Trevor Alexander

Thu 2nd Feb 2023 13:43

Tá fáilte romhat, Uilleam, Yes the pubs can be distracting. But there are some hours when they're not open, so next time, take time to look around. This poem's about Muckish mountain which is in Donegal (in the top left-hand corner of Ireland! 😉)

And thanks John. It is indeed a timeless landscape that I enjoy every time I return. It sort of sucks the world's troubles out of your bones.

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Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Thu 2nd Feb 2023 09:41

Dia dhuit!
Go raibh maith agat Trevor.

We've been to Ireland twice, but sadly didn't do any proper "hiking"-accosted as we were by pubs which had a habit of jumping out in front of us!

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John Coopey

Thu 2nd Feb 2023 08:12

Wonderful and timeless imagery, Trevor, wrapped in a comforting rhythm.

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