Graham Devenish Poet Rhyme

To the Last

Clan Stewart of Appin,
Clan MacGillivray too,
Fell at Culloden,
In the blood and dew.
They fell two by two, and then ten by ten,
Until twelve hundred dead, not sixty minutes in.
...At Culloden


The highland charge failed,
No victory as in the past.
The British stood their ground and slaughtered,
To the last.
And when twelve hours had past and a wounded man gasped,
The Butcher slaughtered again, and again,
To the last
And the last.
...At Culloden

At Culloden they fell,
The fathers and the sons,
The brothers and the cousins,
Of Scotland's bravest ones.
Bonnie na'er should ha'e marched,
His highlanders through the night.
They may ha'e had the chance,
To bring on the proper fight.
...At Culloden

But the swords came down, as men crawled through the heather,
Brits cut the Clans deep,
Ruby blood on their feather.
Through their hearts,
Through their souls,
Their lives given for this toll.
A scar to their creed,
And still Scotland weeps.
...At Culloden

Graham Alexander Devenish

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Kevin Lawrence December 21, 2024 at 3:46 PM Fantastic tribute to our fallen Scots, Graham, whose only crime was fighting for what they believed in. A powerful comment on the cost of standing against arrogant imperious power. Thank you for a great poem. Graham Devenish December 23, 2024 at 5:26 AM Thank you Kevin. I am always impressed that people will take the time to comment. If you liked this one, I would suggest you read my "The Bruce, I will Stand". It is about Robert the Bruce and the battle of Bannockburn. Thank you for your comment. It is very much appreciated. I will check out your work. Graham

John Watt December 8, 2020 at 10:54 PM Long live the thistle. A touching and historic write of the bloody day. I hear 'Scotland the Brave' loudly calling from the pipes. Well done, Graham, a worthy first entry to your Poetry Soup collection ~ John Graham Devenish February 19, 2021 at 5:03 AM Thank you John, Just saw this now. I very much appreciate your generous comments. Congratulations on your 3 published works in 'The Book'. You have set the bar for me. BTW I have Starry Night hanging in my house. I sometimes look at it while listening to Don Maclean's song. (Usually with a scotch) Cheers! Graham