The Cartography of a Soul
For Gabriel Huizenga’s “Should I Depart Early” Challenge
Should ah depart early
Ah shall let the cold breeze
scatter me where it sees fit
Somewhere northern
Wild an' serene
An' far frae society's
Demands an' expectations
Look for cabins
In remote regions
Surrounded by trees
An' beside a loch or stream
Elder statesmen o' the woods
Stand as a testimony
Tae the quiet calm
O' ma natural fortress
Though ye may be tempt'd
Tae look for ma name oan a sign
Ye willnae fin one
But ye will hear me afore ye see me
Oan the whispering winds
Ye shall hear the tempered call
O' Springsteen or Reed.
An' the soul o' Simone—
oppression, expression, an' freedom.
The homely scent o' bread baking
Will dance an' delight an' draw ye close
As the distant drumming o' a woodpecker
Provides the backbeat for yer quest
Colours o' green,
burnt ochre an' brown
Sombre an' vivid
Like an auld master's piece
Search oot a clearin'
in an unlikely spot
wae an orchard o' apples an' pears
Taste the fruits o' my covenant
The craws an' ravens
My solemn watchers
Bring guidance an' warning
Advance wae caution
Offer thanks tae the wind.
The melodies o' auld hum.
As the waters keep time
Look for the sketch
No sign o' perfection
Mair etchings o' feelings
Experiences lang gone
Fine an' thick lines tell tales
But no o' convenience
Or easy-won answers
O' tragedy an' survival
Through darkness an' light
Taste the salt in the air
As the smoke o' the kindling
Claws at yer throat
As memories not yet complete
Fill yer lungs o' the past
An' future twistin'
Like the wild willows
Tones o' Mogwai an' Davis
Collide wae harmonies
o' Buckingham an' Nicks
Wae cries o' war an' peace
Dae ye ken whit ah said
So many times afore
Solitude be ma elixir
Awae frae the noise
Lay yer haund oan a log
Ye'll ken the one
Coarse it'll be but
Through it ye'll ken Ah'm near
Come empty-handed
But no empty-minded
Bring yer questions,
Ah'll hav mine
For when ah depart
A covenant ah shall grant
Confer wae the woodlands
Tae convene wae the trees
That's where ah shall be
*
Thanks for reading!
This is for the very awesome Gabriel Huizenga’s “Should I Depart Early” Challenge.
Click the link to find out more and take part!
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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