Murrisk Beach Walk

I am enamored of the colors in this landscape -- we took a short hike

in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, past Murrisk Friary and on down

to the shore, which curves and curls around tidepools and pastures

where horses graze unconcerned with the wind. When I beach-walk,

I'm torn between keeping my eyes raised to take in the greater

surroundings, or keeping them earthward -- there is so much

to observe and such an expanse of colors in the flora,

the tide-lines of seaweed, the crab carapaces tossed

by the hundred into the grass, the periwinkle shells,

the cockles, the mussels. (On this particular stretch of beach

the human-contribution to debris was at a minimum: shreds

of rope, and the occasional plastic jug.) We were blessed with

a good hour without rain, but it appeared to be lashing at the

hardy souls trekking up Croagh Patrick's scree.

Finally back at the car, we feasted on ham sandwiches

made with the last of the homemade bread and some

Polish pickles (as close to dill as I could find).