Page 112 - Trip to Ireland Final Flip Book

during the 14 century. According to tradition, the stone cross
th
also marks the spot where once a local judge was murdered.

It’s said that he had just sentenced to death a man he had

found guilty of murder when he himself was slain by the

brother of the accused.

After lunch we drive toward Neale looking for stone circles and

other points of interest but can’t find anything because there

are no signs. We drive back into town and take a photo of a

swan. I can’t get used to seeing wild swans wherever there is a

body of fast moving water. There was only one swan but I shot

a double exposure to give him a friend.

Even now I wish that you had been there

Sitting beside me on the riverbank:
The cob and his pen sailing in rhythm

Until their small heads met and the final
Heraldic moment dissolved in ripples.
Swans Mating

By Michael Longley

(born 1939)

112