CLIMBING MUCKISH

Leaving the house in hopeful weather,
cycling towards Muckish,
not knowing the right way up.

Clicking through the gears,
trying to get the bike to run smoothly,
hoping the rain wouldn't start again.

Passing a warning sign for sheep,
the fences disappearing,
sheep stepping onto the road.

The mountain losing its familiar shape,
seen from this angle,
becoming something else.

Taking a path to a landfill site,
empty bin liners, old newspapers,
hung out on a fence.

Leaving my bike where the path faded,
crossing a bridge,
walking uphill beside a river.

The sun going down,
getting my feet wet,
listening to old voicemail messages.

Reaching a high point,
looking back,
seeing the path I should have taken.