As clouds paint the northern sky
And the sun heads for Capricorn's ring
The leaves shrivel, flutter and fall
Across autumn's lands we now move
Colours are daubed across the boughs
As trees prepare for the winter day
And light's supply is running short
Across autumn's lands we move
Summer's warmth is but a memory
And a dusting of winter
wafts over the highest peaks where
across autumn's lands we move
Fierce storms in curtailed days
The spume flees from the waves' tops
Winter battles summer while
across autumn's lands we move
Come November
We'll remember those
whose winter is even over after
across autumn's lands we move
Memories
As if you'd only gone
on a holiday
everything tidied up
waiting for your return
The sun pouring in
but it was the low sun
of autumn
casting long shadows inside
Your home of many years
as you left it
that evening
back in August
You probably knew
you wouldn't be back
although there was always talk of
going home
Home you are now
together with your love
she was by the door that day
taking you away
She was in the room that day
wondering why
we were inside
on such a glorious day
The old clock on the wall
showed a little past one
as we said a final good-bye
until the Breaking of the Day
on a holiday
everything tidied up
waiting for your return
The sun pouring in
but it was the low sun
of autumn
casting long shadows inside
Your home of many years
as you left it
that evening
back in August
You probably knew
you wouldn't be back
although there was always talk of
going home
Home you are now
together with your love
she was by the door that day
taking you away
She was in the room that day
wondering why
we were inside
on such a glorious day
The old clock on the wall
showed a little past one
as we said a final good-bye
until the Breaking of the Day
Writings from Castle Town: a closure
The original idea behind Writings from Castle Town was inspired by a way of life I enjoyed over a period extending from 2005 until 2022. The first stop sign was reached with the death of my friend Barbara, two years ago next month, but really came to a close with the death of my father on August 29th.
Castle Town referred to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, which is crowned by the recently refurbished Lews Castle, that baronial pile overlooking the harbour.
Castle Town also referred to a small village in the Netherlands, just outside the city of Arnhem, crowned by a castle dating back to as early as 1314.
My personal concept of Castle Town centred on two people: my father, in the Netherlands, and Barbara, in Stornoway. As both are now gone, the time is near to close the blog. It does not mean that I intend to stop writing poetry or stories. I shall publish a final post to announce the link to the new blog. Until such time, I shall continue to use this site.
Not long now
Not long now
and we won't see you again
You are gone, but left to us
for a few more hours
Like our mutual friend
the trees look out
for your familiar form
as you pass under their boughs
The moors glance
across to the roadways
where you'd often
pass by
The house was empty
after your loved one
was gone
all those years back
You cared for her
with all the love
with all the strength
that love can impart
I saw her last
gliding from sight
framed in a train
carriage window
I saw you last
in a hospital bed
holding my hand
for a moment longer
You had achieved
what you wanted to
but didn't want to let go
until the Time came
Again, it'll be a warm
sunny day when
we say farewell
Gus am bris an latha
and we won't see you again
You are gone, but left to us
for a few more hours
Like our mutual friend
the trees look out
for your familiar form
as you pass under their boughs
The moors glance
across to the roadways
where you'd often
pass by
The house was empty
after your loved one
was gone
all those years back
You cared for her
with all the love
with all the strength
that love can impart
I saw her last
gliding from sight
framed in a train
carriage window
I saw you last
in a hospital bed
holding my hand
for a moment longer
You had achieved
what you wanted to
but didn't want to let go
until the Time came
Again, it'll be a warm
sunny day when
we say farewell
Gus am bris an latha
Shrinking world
From the shrinking world
of ancient age
You glimpse
What lies beyond
We spoke of
Matters long since gone
Where nothing more
Will change
Your house of
Many decades
Is still and
Waiting for your return
Where once were
Laughs and tears
Music and voices
Only memories now echo
You're on the edge
Pulled away yet
Through pure chance
So I could speak to you
of ancient age
You glimpse
What lies beyond
We spoke of
Matters long since gone
Where nothing more
Will change
Your house of
Many decades
Is still and
Waiting for your return
Where once were
Laughs and tears
Music and voices
Only memories now echo
You're on the edge
Pulled away yet
Through pure chance
So I could speak to you
The shingle path
I trod the path today
along the shingle shore
Fog hung low
over sea and hill
You were there
beside the quiet sea
but your spirit
was not
I know where to find it
and often I do
I remember you
and often I will
The markers stood
still
for eternity
and beyond
You will be with me
for the duration
although
I can't see, hear or touch you
You will be there
a smile by my shoulder
a guiding touch
until the Breaking of the Day
when the Shadows flee away
along the shingle shore
Fog hung low
over sea and hill
You were there
beside the quiet sea
but your spirit
was not
I know where to find it
and often I do
I remember you
and often I will
The markers stood
still
for eternity
and beyond
You will be with me
for the duration
although
I can't see, hear or touch you
You will be there
a smile by my shoulder
a guiding touch
until the Breaking of the Day
when the Shadows flee away
Change
Everything is
the way it was
Everything carries on
the way it did
The same things
the same times
the sun, the rain
the wind, the snow
One is missing
and that changes everything
I miss you still, but
must go on
I cannot stand still
whilst the sun moves west
I cannot look back
whilst the moon moves forward
We all have our time
mine is now
yours has passed
I shall proceed onwards
the way it was
Everything carries on
the way it did
The same things
the same times
the sun, the rain
the wind, the snow
One is missing
and that changes everything
I miss you still, but
must go on
I cannot stand still
whilst the sun moves west
I cannot look back
whilst the moon moves forward
We all have our time
mine is now
yours has passed
I shall proceed onwards
Eilean a'Cheo / Skye
Your mountains frowned
with a white cap on
over silent vales
and babbling brooks
Winter was coming
over a year of goings
I walked in your midst
in utter silence
The sea lit up the sky
with the dark peaks to my right
rocks loomed high into the mist
as I reached Fiunary
A slab in memory of
on the way over the hill
as the westering sun
sank under the dark sea
I'm not far away now
and often look down the Minch
at your mist-wrapped peaks
Eilean a Cheo. Skye.
with a white cap on
over silent vales
and babbling brooks
Winter was coming
over a year of goings
I walked in your midst
in utter silence
The sea lit up the sky
with the dark peaks to my right
rocks loomed high into the mist
as I reached Fiunary
A slab in memory of
on the way over the hill
as the westering sun
sank under the dark sea
I'm not far away now
and often look down the Minch
at your mist-wrapped peaks
Eilean a Cheo. Skye.
On the start of a new week
Not all those who wonder are lost.
Perceptions are deceptive.
Impressions are not made by teeth alone
The sun shines, even after it has set
Live not in the past
lest you collide with the future
Go forward
facing forward
Be inquisitive
and you'll find
what you're not
looking for
The nightowl hoots
under the pallid moon
awaiting the dawn
of a brazen morn
Not all those who wander are lost
All that is gold does not glitter
the old that is strong does not wither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king
(Last two verses from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings)
Perceptions are deceptive.
Impressions are not made by teeth alone
The sun shines, even after it has set
Live not in the past
lest you collide with the future
Go forward
facing forward
Be inquisitive
and you'll find
what you're not
looking for
The nightowl hoots
under the pallid moon
awaiting the dawn
of a brazen morn
Not all those who wander are lost
All that is gold does not glitter
the old that is strong does not wither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king
(Last two verses from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings)
Looking ahead
The paths are empty
The forest trees sway
in the winds of change
that will soon blow away
In the Land of Trees
the bell of change tolls
I see fading
falling away
Time passes slowly
but waits for no man
Your world has shrunk
to not more than your walls
The roads and ways
between forest and river
across heath and frontier
now look for you, in vain
Your work is done
We work for you
Midsummer is past
The night's now closing in
The forest trees sway
in the winds of change
that will soon blow away
In the Land of Trees
the bell of change tolls
I see fading
falling away
Time passes slowly
but waits for no man
Your world has shrunk
to not more than your walls
The roads and ways
between forest and river
across heath and frontier
now look for you, in vain
Your work is done
We work for you
Midsummer is past
The night's now closing in
War for our time
An echo from times gone by
four score years and three
but the broken glass
still crunches under the jackboot
Whether script be Cyrillic or Latin
The warnings went unheeded
Peace at all costs, now
War for our time
four score years and three
but the broken glass
still crunches under the jackboot
Whether script be Cyrillic or Latin
The warnings went unheeded
Peace at all costs, now
War for our time
Summer's light
Summer is approaching
evening's light
but slowly
fades
The trees are green
the flowers robed in colour
the birds busy
about their young
It is
as if
nothing
ever changes
But change
is always,
inexorably,
happening
You enjoyed
that sun splashed
spring
in the Year of Silence
Watching
the old cop shows
on the telly
as the sun went down
The last time
for one thing
and one more thing
crept up the calendar
Until darkness
crept into the
September
evenings
I am content
what happened
had to happen
at that time
The years
will keep coming round
and you'll be with me
forever
Our memories are with me until the Breaking of the Day when the Shadows flee away
evening's light
but slowly
fades
The trees are green
the flowers robed in colour
the birds busy
about their young
It is
as if
nothing
ever changes
But change
is always,
inexorably,
happening
You enjoyed
that sun splashed
spring
in the Year of Silence
Watching
the old cop shows
on the telly
as the sun went down
The last time
for one thing
and one more thing
crept up the calendar
Until darkness
crept into the
September
evenings
I am content
what happened
had to happen
at that time
The years
will keep coming round
and you'll be with me
forever
Our memories are with me until the Breaking of the Day when the Shadows flee away
Sitting out
On a day like today
you'd be sitting out the back
with the daily puzzle
and a cuppa tea
The sun would kiss you
The wind blowing gently
your stories
from years gone by
I sat out there today
half expecting you
to come out the door
with a tray
The wind whispered your name
the sun remembered your stories
the puzzles were reminded of you
and I'll never forget you
North and South
North and South
came together
many years
ago
From the distant South
back to the remote North
you returned
when you were but young
The roads remember
The railways recall
The signals swing
from green to red
You fulfilled your promise
you honoured those
who went on ahead
many moons ago
I was shown the island
by you
with pride
and with love
And when I travel its roads
and pass through its townships
The memories are there
of what we once had
Time marches forward
you'll always be
to my left
to keep an eye on me
Your time has concluded
but you aren't really gone
what you were rests now
but I carry you with me always
came together
many years
ago
From the distant South
back to the remote North
you returned
when you were but young
The roads remember
The railways recall
The signals swing
from green to red
You fulfilled your promise
you honoured those
who went on ahead
many moons ago
I was shown the island
by you
with pride
and with love
And when I travel its roads
and pass through its townships
The memories are there
of what we once had
Time marches forward
you'll always be
to my left
to keep an eye on me
Your time has concluded
but you aren't really gone
what you were rests now
but I carry you with me always
The wheel of seasons
The wheel of seasons turns
The birds are nesting
The days are long
The days are growing warm
The wheel of seasons turns
You enjoyed your last spring
In the year of silence
When none would venture forth
The wheel of seasons turns
When summer neared completion
and the days grew shorter
as your days grew shorter
When autumn arrived
with mellow sunshine
your world had shrunk
to your own very own room
As the final day broke
and the shadows flew away
you left us
into the brightness of the sun
The birds are nesting
The days are long
The days are growing warm
The wheel of seasons turns
You enjoyed your last spring
In the year of silence
When none would venture forth
The wheel of seasons turns
When summer neared completion
and the days grew shorter
as your days grew shorter
When autumn arrived
with mellow sunshine
your world had shrunk
to your own very own room
As the final day broke
and the shadows flew away
you left us
into the brightness of the sun
Station incident
The train of hope
was held at
a signal at black
The points were set against
a flight
to hope
The wheels of fate
turned to
a flight to death
was held at
a signal at black
The points were set against
a flight
to hope
The wheels of fate
turned to
a flight to death
Memories
You were there
when I was traipsing
the hills and moors
of the island
They were there
keeping me company
the hills and moors
of the island
The hail and snow
the wind and rain
the lochs and streams
of the island
I found myself again
in the silence of Langadale
in the roar of the Atlantic
around the island
You have now gone
but are still there
in my memories
of all those years
when I was traipsing
the hills and moors
of the island
They were there
keeping me company
the hills and moors
of the island
The hail and snow
the wind and rain
the lochs and streams
of the island
I found myself again
in the silence of Langadale
in the roar of the Atlantic
around the island
You have now gone
but are still there
in my memories
of all those years
Barbara - 12
The flowers nod
In the early spring wind
Remembering you
Enjoying that final spring
The Year of Silence
When none came
The sun shone
On empty streets
You fought bravely
And would not give up
But as nights closed in
So did your world
I stand by the tree
In the Sunken Garden
I hear the sea
By the village beach
I still see you
Climbing the stairs
Cat looking on
You did great
You flew away
When daylight came
It was time
Until the breaking of the Day
Beinn a' Bhuidhne
Like a lidless eye, the loch stared up into the sky. Fluffy clouds drifted slowly aloft, but the sun shone brightly. The black ribbon forked, one going south, the other west into the far distance. Both were roads into memory. The wind whispered through the rough grass and heather. Little heaps of peats were set away from the roadway as it threaded south. The modern addition of wind turbines fell away as altitude was slowly gained. Little huts started to appear, a little way off the beaten track. Some blown apart by the unrelenting and unforgiving wind. "Let's stop here". The car pulled into a lay-by and its engine was switched off. "This is where we went to cut peats". She looked around. The wind sighed through the heather. "We'd leave a jar of jam buried there, and the next year it would be dug out. Just scrape off the mould and it would be as good as new". An old, rusty kettle lay amongst the ruin of the shieling hut. Lochs lay glistening in the distance, where the river ran eastward towards inhabited lands. "Sometimes, we'd start the car and let it roll down the hill". She smiled. "Sometimes, we'd make it all the way into town". The sun was momentarily obscured by a passing cloud, and a little chill fell. But the light came back quickly. The running of the river was the only other background noise. The car door shut, its engine started and the vehicle moved on towards the top of Beinn a' Bhuidhne.
February 2022
I still see you
Every day
In that corner
With the cat by your side
Your voice follows me
And the island remembers you
From your ancestral roots
By the Atlantic shores
The big sky looks out for you
The ocean thunders your name
The hills gaze down
Wondering like me
The ancient stones know
The circle on the ridge
The treacherous one
Out in the moor
The wistful beauty
of Bosta and it's beach
The sun glistens In countless lochs
Like tears in lidless eyes
The spiders still weave webs
In the shelter by the crossroads
We passed by
Roving the island's roads
You took me
Into your world
With pride,
And proud I would join you
Your world remembers you
And knows you are there
You are your world
And forever will be
The lonely road
The lonely road
ribbons out west
the mountains march
away in the distance
The moorland calls
you by your name
the hills look down
searching for you
The Atlantic shines
on the western horizon
the sun kisses
winter its colours
The old houses lean
into the rocky crags
the old mill
no longer mills
The stream babbles
its stories of years gone by
of your folks
long since gone on ahead
The years flow by
the rocks remain
remembering you
and the stories you told
The road rises high
the hills frown aloft
looking out for you
beyond this life
ribbons out west
the mountains march
away in the distance
The moorland calls
you by your name
the hills look down
searching for you
The Atlantic shines
on the western horizon
the sun kisses
winter its colours
The old houses lean
into the rocky crags
the old mill
no longer mills
The stream babbles
its stories of years gone by
of your folks
long since gone on ahead
The years flow by
the rocks remain
remembering you
and the stories you told
The road rises high
the hills frown aloft
looking out for you
beyond this life
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