Cramond Island

CRAMOND ISLAND

Twice a day wet-footed invaders tramp
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

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Stronaclachar, 25th June 1979

Publication

1986 THE BLOOM (Madras, Ocarina)

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)