THE FAN DANCE. A Poem By Bob Shepherd.

The wild and wonderful Brecon Beacons. Photo taken from the internet.

Pick up your Bergen and throw it on your back

We’re all going tabbing, it’s really a good crack

Over the Fan from the phone box…then all the way back

From your pocket you can produce a nice wee snack

Fifteen miles of inclines but declines too

Every one to their own pace, but keep it true

There’s no time for blow outs, it’s all about pacing

The Fan is an equalizer, so there’s no point in racing

Head down…arse up and purr at your own pace

But remain switched on or you’ll fall flat on your face

Stay off the deep pan pizza and remain on the trail

Keeping an eye on the hare in front

As you don’t want to fail

Descending Jacob’s Ladder don’t dare think about the return

As going back up that awesome incline is one helluva burn

A good jog down the Roman Road takes you to the turn around

A quick glug of water and straight back the way you’ve found

Each mile back is a count down as you’re over half way

Crack the killing Jacob’s Ladder, up and over to end the day

So how did you do, did you get in with the best?

Or did you misjudge your pacing and come in with the rest?

There’s nothing like the Fan Dance, wind, rain or sun

And you don’t really appreciate it, until you are done

The Fan will always be there, even when I’m long dead

For over fifty years now it’s allowed me to look ahead

Next time I’m up here I’ll definitely do it quicker

But the night before the Fan Dance I’ll have to stay off the liquor