The old man climbed Croagh Patrick
I was there
I saw his steady pace his easy air
His walking stick
The hat upon his head
A fair ould climb
He’ll sleep tonight in bed
A young lad ran ahead
With lightning speed
To old advice he didn’t pay no heed
The freshness of the day
The mountain height
Enough to give that young lad sheer delight
But later on
Not far ahead he stopped
He needed breath
Enthusiasm lopped
The old man passed him out
At steady pace
Though it isn’t a competition or a race
But such is life
A mountain climb for all
And early doors we feel we’ll never fall
It’s old age brings the wisdom for the top
Just keep it steady
No need then to stop
I am that child
That young one and old man
And every day I climb as best I can
The view from here gets clearer as I climb
And from the top
Clew Bay! You are sublime!
Brian Fahy
14 December 2021
Erris Poetry 