The hills go on

I’m always drawn to the scenic route,

by the Docks and the Claddagh,

to where the bay 

opens out

                 and the hills beyond

         and the shimmer between

make me glad I avoided

the practical way.

That first summer, the Saturday crowd

would race for the corner

overlooking

the bay;

                       the bright view 

                 was a promise

         of good times

just beginning.

Seven summers later,

someone finally pulled the plug,

but they could not remove the scenery.

While call centres come and go,

the bay and the hills 

go on

                 sustaining us,

         inviting us

to take the scenic route. 

Originally published on the Galway Review website in December 2012