Sunday, January 31, 2010

Grateful




Every once in a while the stars align in such a way that luck is propelled upon an individual. Here I sit in Ireland surrounded by ancient wonders and sublime majestic beauty. Unfortunately I am not here to ride but by the looks of the place it is a two wheel delight. Over the last week, I have seen a ton of motorcyclist braving the cold on the city streets of Dublin. The allure of the place is staggering and I cannot begin describe it. William Butler Yeates was born in Ireland and now rests here in the shadow of a wondrous cliff. Here is a poem from one of one of Ireland’s greatest authors.

The Wild Swans at Coole by William Butler Yeates

The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty Swans.
The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All's changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,

Trod with a lighter tread.

Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams or climb the air;

Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.
But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake's edge or pool
Delight men's eyes when I awake some day

To find they have flown away?

10 comments:

  1. One of my top three riding destinations. Looks absolutely beautiful and I'd love to track down some of my ancestral stomping grounds. Have fun.

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  2. Great photos. Have a great time in Dublin.

    Gary

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  3. Animus- This place rocks for a good ride. I have been thinking of staying for a few days and renting a motorcycle but with the cold temperatures the lack of riding gear and no vacation time I just may be out of luck. I am here for my job but all work and no play makes for a very unpleasant journey. The people are wonderful, the scenery is fantastic and the roads terrific.

    Gary- Thanks for the visit. It sounds like you have a great upcoming trek yourself. I look forward to reading your post from the new world.

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  4. I work for a global corporation. Guess I'm going to have to start whining about getting to travel abroad. How cool for you. Thanks for the cheer today.

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  5. Well I was wondering if you were still alive, I guess you are.
    -
    Nice posting, “The heart of a biker with the soul of a poet.”
    -
    Here in NYC the weather has been tolerable and I’ve been riding dressed like an Eskimo.
    -
    Glad to see you’re enjoy what the world has to offer. My son visited Ireland and loved it immensely.

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  6. Wow Dublin...always wanted to go there...perhaps some day...Love the opening sentence of this post cause it is so true and realistic..Have a great time..I have to agree with with Scribe816..the heart of a biker, the soul of a poet...great post Rob

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  7. Well, your adventures continue...or should I say they never cease to exist?! I have fond memories of Ireland, and hope that despite your work there, you're getting the chance to make some great memories and see some fantastic sights as well.

    Yeats...wow. What a beautiful, yet sorrowful poem. Any reason you chose it?

    Travel safe...

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  8. Irondad- I got lucky, usually the company makes me work in the basement with the other miscreants.

    Baron and Scribe- You guys are too kind. I don't feel much like a biker b/c I have not riden in so long. My soul needs a recharge but my cycle is 3000 miles away.

    Kate- I read a bit of Yeats when I was over seas in a dry ugly place and his words helped keep life balanced in a chaotic environment. His resting place was the first place I visited, plus when was the last time you saw someone quote Yeats on a Motorcycle Blog.

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  9. Rob,
    I found this for you
    http://www.motorental.ie/

    Regards
    Steve

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  10. Hi Rob! Sounds like you had a great time in my old hood, I'll have to meet you there sometime...
    Preferably when the weather's good :)
    Nice new Harley, by the way! Here's to clocking up some serious miles, and inhaling some beautiful experiences in 2010!
    Talk to you soon, man, Dave.

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