Cnoc an Uan

Who of those

on Cnoc an Uan

that August day

would return

Who of those

would return

only in name

on Cnoc an Uan

A tower now rears

looking out to sea

over which they left

never to return

except in name

on a bronzen plaque

listing

so many names

Who of those

on Cnoc an Uan

that November day

would not be remembered

Lews Castle

Where the wealthy once played

in luscious ballrooms

dividing the interior

to shoot and fish

Where their chattels,

enumerated for poverty,

had less than nothing

to live on and pay with

Lowly walls sinking into the ground

only chimneys left standing

empty hearths cold

staring out over empty moorland

The mansion too was left

abandoned and crumbling

young ones were once taught

from where their elders were ruled

Where the wealthy once played

we now learn of their days

and those they subdued

from near and from far

Resplendent yet empty

the way it once was,

but no longer is,

Lews Castle

Iolaire, 4 December 2012

A heap of stones
by a stone spike
looking down
on a limpid sea

Like distant boats
the islands sail
along the horizon
far to the south

The sun twinkles
in countless mirrors
as it slowly sinks
to its solstice bed

The waters flow
slowly to reveal
a rock or two
under the other spike

Not unlike
a stony leviathan
lurking in the
seas down below

The wind rises
in a bullying crescendo
wintry squalls
obscuring the lights

Which is which?
Rona, Milaid
Arnish, Tiumpan
The time: 1.55 am