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The First Twelve Months
A sparkling sea with distant isles.
Glorious stretches of golden sand.
Flower filled meadows, dunes and moor.
Rocky coasts alive with calling birds.
Cows and sheep sleek and round with
Wide eyed calves and carefree lambs.
This is Coll from May 'til September
But then
A howling gale whipping away both breath and feet
Darkness from four 'til nine the following day.
Bales of hay and buckets of feed
Carried through floods to mud-streaked beasts.
A house full of washing and muddy boots.
Rain today, yesterday and rain tomorrow.
But then
A social life second to none
A goodly crack up in the bar
And Chat filled shopping days.
Friendly diners and mind stretching classes.
A pantomime and great first footing
Filled with fun and lots of laughter.
And now
The magic of snowdrops and blackbirds singing.
A time to discover why you are here.
A year to be proud you have survived
And earned the right to live on Coll.
When summer will be the reward that's due.
Sheila MacKinnon |
