Angel

THE HOME COMING

I flew here once, on leave
Bringing David, Captain Smith
Across to the Island,
A short sortie, over a silver sea

Floating effortlessly here
With only gulls to share the peace
Through a sunny sky, white to the South
To the North, a powder blue.
Clouds, slow moving, dappled the land below

Behind us, on the mainland, we saw a train
Speeding South taking mail or men
Saw children waiting at the crossing
Faces lifted to watch us pass, arms waving

Arriving here, made young at heart
We shouted, pointed at boats
Bright clad visitors on St Cuthbert’s Isle
Picked their way back before the tide

I turned the plane and, falling
We swept across the land
Just higher than the Heugh
Where we once met, you and I
And where my thoughts will ever be …
No sign then of things to come

Over church and market cross
The Manor House
In its garden, some austere gathering
Again, faces turned to see us pass
Even here a hand was raised

Like boys we turned, this way and that
Eager to explore this living map
Tiny, laid out perfect all below

Along the beach
Upturned boats, older than time itself
Others , resting, waiting for the tide
We saw mud here, but gentle, gull speckled
Dispelling thoughts of other muds we knew

We followed trippers in their horse drawn cart
Out towards the castle
A bleak black mass set in sheep-strewn fields
A little garden by its side
A sign of wars – but smaller, long ago
A sheepdog made its silent way amongst a flock
Chasing to silent orders from its master

And what did David make of all of this
Mainlander who never really knew
My off-shore youth ?

I remember all the details …
Those that he would never know
The creaking of the stile, the cries of waders
Rising, peaking then seeming to fall
Like some sad engine
Cries of new-born lambs on Crooked Lonnen

The smell – we have no smell up here
Of gutted fish, of drying lobster pots
The feel of sand dunes beneath your feet
Of wet grass, cooling sunburnt legs

Flying onwards, out to sea…
Far out a small boat under sail
Cut through little waves, too far below to hear
But we could see its splashing progress
I sailed my father’s boat here, once
From the harbour out to sea
With only seals to share the peace

I have long since left the Isle
This Isle or any isle …
Cast down by a cruel blow
From a harsh mainland


But I still come back …
Though you cannot see me
Seeking comfort …
From a homeland I can no longer touch
And to warn you in voices you can no longer hear
Of Life and Love and War

I am with you when the rain drives in from the sea
When mists hide the castle
And in this brilliant sun

John Pearson