Friday 8 October 2010

Factor's Island

FACTOR'S ISLAND
O Factor of the Duke of Montrose,
tell me! When Rob Roy captured you,
stole the rents you had collected
and held you on the island for ransom,
were there then seagulls congregating
among tame trees and purple rhododendron?
When Glasgow took Katrine's water
and raised its level seventeen feet
they built a wall around it - made it nice
You would rather they'd let it be submerged!
© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Stronaclachar, 25th June 1979

Publications

1980 THE RAINBOW AND OTHER POEMS (Heckmondwyke, Fighting Cock Press)
1997 NASA (USA)

1 comment:

  1. Gerald, I think your deft use of the shunned word makes it. It's one of those rare times when the meaningless word 'nice' is very appropriate.

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