Right of Way

Right of Way

Right of Way

Originally there were the two Steps here:
the first from our daffodil haggard
above the Old Screen, past the pencil quarry
and over to the Din Beags’ yard. You crossed
the top of that with a wave at the old people
to the second Step which led – as it still leads –
into Kate and Jer’s place, where we come
to meet again curlews, snipe and woodcock.

The first has gone: nowadays no more
than a briar-covered mound that slows our short cut.
The second is still there. Over it Kit Hickey,
elbow-aided now by two granddaughters,
clambers with a gallon, gathering blackberries.
Or did last year. Mostly now we go out
the back way, west along to the tar road
that leads to the N72 where you must
be cautious of the lorries on their way
to Rosslare and onward overseas.