Far From Athy Poem by Martin Swords

Pat told stories of old times, living in digs
in Athy, working on the roofin’ for aul’ Hammond.
Me with my booklearning piped up
“I heard of Athy,
“And look! a barge comes bringing from Athy
And other far- flung towns mythologies.” ”,
lines from the canalbankpoet.
“Bet he never saw it in the lashing
rain”, Pat observed dryly.
No. Nor I had never seen it his way,
from a cold slate roof breaking galvanised
tacking nails with the long ripper,
and only the price of two pints in his pocket,
till Friday.

He was glad for me that I hadn’t.


Martin Swords May 2009

i.m. Pat Swords 1915 - 1978
On His Birthday 1st May