Click here to hear the poet read his words:
leaving
it’s still numpty o’clock
as the plane clambers awkwardly
out of Edinburgh
the sun creeps from the Forth
where the river meets the North Sea
showing the three great bridges
in silhouette
I smile
knowing that this afternoon
I’ll be home again
in my own corner of Paradise
on the Côte d’Azur
and my mind drifts
back over the past week
the highlight as always
was the day spent with my grandson
we walked along the Clyde
two miles in spring sunshine
from city centre
to the Riverside Museum
where we lunched
and revisited the once-familiar exhibits
before wandering through Kelvingrove
on our homeward trail
but there was also the kindness of friends
in Broxburn
on the tranquil Union Canal
and in Ayr
with its broad beaches
between two very different
but equally beautiful rivers
and its history of our Bard
I don’t know that
I deserve their unstinting kindness
I do know that
I can never repay it
and as I look down
at Scotland
disappearing beneath the clouds
I realise that
once again
I leave behind me
a flake of my soul
Lovely! We’re visiting Tasmania at the moment, and there is a series of towns with a Scottish bent from immigration. Forth, Leith, Ulverstone.
Enjoy your trip, Trish, I look forward to your poem when you leave!
Ah, good encouragement! It won’t be as beautiful as your own 😄
Those precious moments!
Exactly, Cassa, so we need to treasure them.
Beautiful words and sentiments.
Thanks, Lindsey, that’s what Scotland does to me each time.
CE I loved this – particularly the last line. So poignant!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Lovely to see you again, Rowena.
Every time we leave it hurts a little, don’t you think, no matter how much we look forward to being home again.
Oh yes. Mind you, I’m looking forward to leaving home atm. I’m quite vulnerable so need to be cautious. I need a holiday.