Twice a day wet-footed invaders tramp© GERALD ENGLAND
over your hillsides among the thistles
sea-thrift and primroses searching for shells
washed into the bay or fishing for mussels
that cannot be eaten; discovering again
the concrete left by an army at war
The causeway built over the sewage pipe
is fallen away and officially closed
yet only the tide rushing up the Forth
can make you an island at peace
but for aircraft screaming their way to landfall
Composed: Stronaclachar, 25th June 1979
Publication
1986 THE BLOOM (Madras, Ocarina)
Hello Gerald,
ReplyDeleteI like these 'island poems' together with their photos. Have you got one about Spike Island in the River Mersea by any chance?
Best wishes,
Gwilym
I mean River Mersey. The island is near 'The Bridge'.
ReplyDeleteAlas I haven't seen the one by The Bridge.
ReplyDelete