ancestral colours
rallying the clans
Culloden day trip
The Scottish climate is something else
there's a coldness that bites within
one needs well wrapped up outside
protect your inner soul so not to sin
Its renowned climate here in Scotland
with so much rainfall through the year
one never knows what the forecast says
anythings possible when rain does hear
There is a force that comes through
the hills and mountains of Scotland
these winds can be so very strong
really blows victor over many a hand
On the North coastlines full force
both east and west can tear life apart
winds come in off the turbulent waves
at such force, many point them as art
In the spring/summer times its not all bad
it can be so lovely with a little sunshine
these times can be few among the rest
all these tests you so how is your spine?
(This is written about the weather in Scotland.)
In bonnie Scotland wear a kilt
(it seems the thing to do) -
the tartan comes in reds and greens,
and mine's a shade of blue!
written 13th March for Julia's Scottish kilt contest
Highland culture filter
Words out of kilter?
KILT
KILL
DILL
DIAL
DEAL
PEAL
PEAN
PLAN
CLAN
No, clandestine link
Brings the Dress Act of 1746 to the brink!
The mighty kilt
On which highland culture is built
What is it then that holds us in its grasp
For fear has fled and love too long denied
Restrains itself within the hour of taps
Binding itself to latent tears uncried
For time will pass among the stoic stones
Count cadence for the passing hood and scythe
As leaves of broken dreams that hang alone
Cling to failed promises of coming home.
So does the weathered scarf of tartan pain
Conceal the graying edge of times disdain
Soft colors bleeding through the moors and brae
Inflame the sunrise wish to come, to stay.
For those who rest beneath this solemn earth
Are those who bore the colors, gave it worth.
John G. Lawless
1/31/2020
At the Tartan Bonnet
next to the Smithy’s stall,
a picture labelled monster
is hanging on the wall.
The photograph is fuzzy,
looks like a bunch of tyres,
held to a piece of deadwood
by nails and string, or wires.
The locals say that tourists
are gullible, rich fools,
that no sign has been noted
by scientific tools.
The view over the water
is really rather good;
another compensation
is finest ale and food.
But of a Friday evening,
a face at the back door;
she sups her twenty gallons
and swims away once more.
Tradition and dress
A nations finesse
Symbolic in style
By a country mile
The drone of the pipes
Tartan clad
Bonnie on the girls
Proud on the lads
Highland dancers
In kilted skirts
Grooms at weddings
Kilt and dirk
But our Tartan and Pipes
Go back many years
Led soldiers into battles
See the enemy fear
After Culloden
Both were banned
A country naked
At the English hand
Our clans of many
In colours so grand
Woven by weavers
Our women's hands
All over the world
Scots are spread
Taking their Tartans
Of green, blue and red
It's a welcome reminder
To the kin of their past
Never forgotten
Designed to last
This plaid of cloth
History enriched
Scottish pride
In every stitch
And like our pipes
From centuries past
This Scottish of Scots
Are here to last
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/scotland.php
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