Beyond Rathmore a few miles into Kerry
Like sentinels they stand the Paps of Shrone
For countless centuries they've been together
And without each other they might seem alone.

I once asked old man why they called these peaks 'Paps'
His answer they look like woman's giant breasts
In Winter they look barren and deserted
But in Spring the skylarks on them build their nests.

From Spring to late Fall mountain sheep live on them
But they move inland when the chill winds blow
And by all living things the Paps deserted
Stand side by side in their white hats of snow

The sheep farmers who lay claim to these mountains
Their fathers owned them in a bygone day
A legacy their sons too will inherit
And their daughters live in Cities far away.

It has been said that the Paps are male and female
And that their children are the mountains all around
Too coarse and rough to live by inland meadow
They wear their bracken cloaks on higher ground.

They've been together through the timeless ages
And without each other they might seem alone
Beyond Rathmore a few miles into Kerry
Like sentinels they stand the Paps of Shrone.

Tweet

Comments on this poem/writing:

Click here to read other Poems by Francis Duggan

Copyright©2017-1999 by Rebecca R. Hammack

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All Rights Reserved.   No part of this website, including all pictures and written words,  may be reproduced or copied in any manner from this website without  permission of the original author of the work.  All poetry and pictures herein remain the sole property of the original author and/or copyright owner.  All poetry on this website has been submitted by the original author of the work. To contact any author of the work please e-mail: dreamer@dreamersreality.com  so the proper person may be notified.