Menlo across the water

A walk near Menlo Castle on a wet winters day in the west of Ireland

Menlo across the river

The ivy'd ruins stretched high o'er the water
As the river flowed beneath a leaden sky
The dark forboding day foretold the tempest
And not a living soul a-stir save I.

With bank-side reeds a-scatter and a-bending
From thrusting winds yet gathering their might
I wondered would the ancient ruins keep standing
When nature's show of strength attained its height

The rain aped Fred Astaire on my umbrella
From gentle old soft shoe to free-style dance
And while the squall beat out its thundereous rhythm
The old but once proud house retained its stance

The waterway pock-marked with spitting rain drops
A rushing raging torrent wild and free
Transporting south its trillion tons of water
To meet with salty cousins at the sea.

With naught but my pet dog stood I on bank side
As I faced this howling drenching afternoon
I thanked the Gods my home was but a stone's throw
And would be by my snug fire-side right soon.