Even The Thought Of Such Things

These are things that one would not do in a whim
The Mushera Hill Christmas Day climb or the Boeing New Year’s Day swim
Even the thought of such things leaves me feeling cold
Suppose this is what happens when one is unfit and feeling old
.
When bracken clad Mushera is covered in snow
In five or more degrees below zero the harsh Winter winds blow
Across the unsheltered face of old Mushera Hill
Brave men and women, boys and girls climb together in the cold morning chill
.
Up to Mushera’s summit overlooking Aubane’s countryside
Where on a clear day one can see for miles far and wide
But in Winter the fog can obscure the scenery
And grayness around you is all you can see
.
On Christmas day in all sorts of weather storms, frost, snow or rain
They climb to Mushera’s summit and walk back down again
Though for their enthusiasm, courage and dedication they must be admired
Just thinking about such leaves one cold and tired
.
With snow on the ground and frost on the breeze
In weather temperatures well under zero degrees
At the Boeing hardy males and females put courage on display
And swim in the freezing Blackwater on cold New Year’s Day
.
You can call it amazing or unbelievable or call it what you may
It does take super courage is all that one can say
To swim in the icy Blackwater in January in weather severe
In view of snow clad Clara thousands of miles north of here
.
It takes great enthusiasm as well as determination and will
To swim in the Blackwater or to climb Mushera Hill
In the depths of Winter with snow on the ground
In Duhallow stories of such courage abound.

by Francis Duggan