Today we decide to go
off the beaten track
and instead of hurtling along
at 60mph
we slow down
and turn off the main road
to Grange,
a small village
near Carlingford.

A walking map directs us
in this unknown territory
and within five minutes
we are well and truly
off the beaten track,
heading up a quiet country lane
where a fox cub
watches us curiously,
too young as yet
to know fear of humans.

Our route has many
twists and turns
and leads us along
quiet, grassy lanes
lined with blackberry blossom,
mossy walls,
beautiful, deep orange dandelions
and a tunnel of honeysuckle
that hums gently with bees
all around
as we pass through.

Pine-covered Slieve Foy above us
and Carlingford lough,
blue and sparkling
below.

A haven of peace and tranquility
– such a wonderful reward
for taking the time
to go off the beaten track.
Makes me wonder –
shouldn’t we all take the time
to slow down
from the hectic pace of life
and go off the beaten track
more often?
Who knows what we might discover!

(c) Claire Murray

We arrive at Divis Mountain
only to find it shrouded in mist.
As our walk begins
we can’t see the mountainside or sky
and certainly no sun!
Silence all around
no birdsong,
no cows mooing,
no voices.
A few yards ahead
dark figures disappear
into the mist.

This feels surreal.

We decide to keep going
for one reason only –
we have walked this road
many times
and we know that if we take our time
and follow the road
we will arrive at the summit
safe and sound.

We continue
and as we pant our way
up the steep road
the mist thins
and we catch a glimpse
of blue sky.
A few paces later
we step out of the mist altogether-
bright, blue skies above,
white, fluffy clouds below us
and the sun on our faces!

I find myself thinking
about my friend,
who is going through a dark time
and sees no light
at the end of her tunnel.
I say a wee prayer
that my friend may step out bravely
each day
trusting her faith to lead her
through her dark mists
so that, before long,
she, too, may emerge
blinking and smiling
in the sunlight
once more.

© Claire Murray, 5th November 2020

For months
I looked forward
to planning something.
It was meant to be fun,
a walk in the park, really.
But things haven’t gone
according to plan –
instead of anticipation
and excitement
I find myself
in the middle of an ordeal.

To be honest,
I’m sorry I ever started!

We started off
at Plan “A”
and after a swift progression
to Plan “B”
we now find ourselves,
disheartened
at Plan “H”!

“H” is for “Help!”
“H” is for “Heart of Jesus,
help me to get this sorted
so that I don’t feel driven
to embark on
Plan “I” – “I give up!”

© Claire Murray, 5th November 2020

A solitary rose blooms
like a soft glow
of primrose and pink
in a corner of our garden –
beautiful to behold
in autumn.

This is the wee rose bush
that Paul pruned back so hard
in winter
and that surprised us this summer
when it grew back
stronger and more vibrant than before …
and a different colour!

Now this same rose bush
has amazed us all again
by doing something else
that it has never done before –
it’s blooming in autumn!
Such a beautiful and welcome surprise!

Our wee rose reminds me
of my good friend.

Life has dealt my friend
some devastating blows
that have truly left her reeling.
But, like our wee rose,
my friend bounces back,
absolutely determined
to count her blessings.

Making a Herculean effort,
she gathers her children
tenderly around her.
And I can just imagine
her wee family team-talk:
“Come over here
and roll your sleeves up.
There’s a silver lining in here somewhere
and we’re going to find it!”

My good friend and our wee rose –
living proof
that there is a silver lining …
if we take the time to look!

© Claire Murray, 17th October 2020