Birds

 The birds

It’s still the cool mid Winter

But the birds have decided

That spring has just arrived

So they sing with cheer. 

In the trees above Shankill

In the hills rising from the sea

Climbing swiftly towards the mountains

On the paths that lead to peace. 

We leave behind the busy road

With heavy traffic going south

Ten minutes brings us to the start

Of woodland paths and scenic routes. 

Down below us lies the city

Busy, busy with its cares

Up above the scent of nature

And beyond the old Lead Mines. 

The pale winter sun struggles to rise

Above narrow trees in Rathmichael Woods

Climbing ahead the forest path leads

To a place in the clearing overlooking the Bay. 

Often we travelled on green Raleigh bikes

Out of the town and into the mountains. 

The sixties gave freedom, one gear to our bikes 

That brought us from Churchtown down strange country lanes. 

We look back today on the times of our youth

Capturing memories, some black and some white

Grateful for days spent in the sun

Happy to have seen and been witness 

To both worlds colliding, the old and new, 

The baton passed on, the elders retiring

Brought forward by new blood  

The world matches on.