As the evening light fades on the Highlands,
they gather around the table and say grace.
A single candle on the table,
heads bowed,
hands folded at the heart,
the family sits together
for their meal of turnip soup and barley bread.
The elder begins the prayer of thanks
for sturdy walls against the northern winds,
for sheep safely gathered,
for warm food on the table
and for the pit fire heating the cottage’s single room.
Today, the landlord came to collect his due.
He rode with his bailiff and two sturdy highland ponies,
as always in late summer.
He had been demanding and arrogant,
noticing another mouth to feed when the child cried for his mother's milk.
But he left satisfied with four sacks of grain loaded on the mounts
heading for the neighbor's croft over the hill.
The harvest had been generous.
With a growing season longer than usual,
gentle winds, soft rains
and a warm sun.
So tonight, they are serene and grateful.
Together.
Thankful for their robust, able bodies,
for the fortitude nestled in their strong hearts,
for the fruit of their labor
and the grace of their love.
6 Comments
Moira
Beautiful and evocative
Barbara Jay
Francoise you are in Scotland! How wonderful! A friend, Lorri Rachel Shapiro, goes there frequently. Her daughter lives there. I will forward your lovely poem to her and perhaps you will meet.
Barbara
Françoise Ducroz
Dear Barbara
I am not in Scotland at the moment. That picture was taken a few years ago at the Bay of Scourie on the wild coast of NW Scotland.
But I chose it to illustrate yesterday’s poem, written with my Scottish writers’ group, exploring what Grace is and how it feels.
I am glad you like it.
Now that the finding-a-home-and-moving episode is over, I am returning to my travel blog. Watch the space!!
Big hugs
Françoise Ducroz
I am so glad you like it!
Valérie Nizon
Françoise, thank you for sharing this. I’m so glad to know you are returning to your writing!! The poem reads beautifully. I particularly enjoyed the meditative pace – it gives me space to breathe and think and see the imagery your poem evokes. It’s a pleasure to read it.
Love,
Valérie
Françoise Ducroz
Dear Valérie, Thank you for your comment and literary support. Let’s continue to read each other’s writing. See you at the GWG conference.