Mull

A truly wonderful place.

Mull

From Tobermory to Fionnphort to Calgary

and all points in-between,

rolling hills cloaked in Sitka spruce, larch,

Scots pine, yew, and juniper,

mosses, liverworts, fern and lichens

and mountain everlasting.

The clean, clear, damp air wraps the flora

in a blanket of fresh green propagation.

Rugged crags and black sea cliffs,

where Golden Eagles nest,

rise with majestic beauty,

and White Tailed Eagles swoop

from the heathery skies

above their high tree perches,

upon unsuspecting prey.

In this place shrouds of mist hang heavy

and dreich, driving rain

sluices across sweeping verdant glens

drowning out August's summer smile.

Red and fallow deer, woolly sheep,

shaggy highland cattle and feral goats,

meander unhindered in search of luscious grazing.

Along shores and flowing rivers

the Eurasian otter plies his trade,

hunting Brownies, salmon, skate, ling and crustaceans,

and seals sunbathe in abundance

on the plentiful small outcrop islands.

Cascading waterfalls spill

in shimmering silver ribbons

down sheer rock faces,

swelling rivers and feeding

glacial lochs

upon whose shores herons stand

stock still

and gaze upon reflected light,

patiently awaiting a fishy meal.

Peace, tranquillity and tourists

are the only pollutants

upon this bonny island,

whose brave-heart history

is as rocky as its beaches.

 

22/08/17

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing journey. You took me with. I liked the places described and the honest tone of your words. Made me wish to roam the coastline. Thank you John for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Glad you enjoyed it. Many thanks Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy my friend and you are welcome.

[Lorry]

Yeah, this is definitely a high pass mark, probably nudged into a top grade for your use of dreich in this piece.
You really do capture well the differences of Scottishness in this piece, as each little gem found becomes a very personal place to each, but they all have their own uniqueness, which you capture here superbly.
I do wonder though, if some of your overseas readers will be scratching their head at wild brownies :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah but Google is so helpful Lorry and if they are interested (as I often have to) they can look it up. Glad you got it though as Mull is my ancestral home lol! Many thanks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"herons stand stock still"
they are a beautiful site...i remember being in Trinidad and going to the place where at exactly 6:07 in the evening, the Scarlet Ibis come to this one big tree...incredible.....
love your descriptions.

j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It was a breathtaking privilege to see so much wildlife in Mull. I can understand the wonder you felt in Trinidad. Many thank yous.

[DIVYA]

A outstanding tribute to a very special place on earth...this beauty is unparalled and to see it through your eyes is a treat.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My ancestors are from Mull so it was a home-coming of sorts to a beautiful island steeped in family history. Pity is rains so much though! Many thanks.

[DIVYA]

You are welcome John.