Where the Battle of Culloden was fought I am.
Where the voices of the fallen call me
down into their comfortless tombs of clay.
I'm sinking, sinking
to where sunlight never reaches
and the soil weighs heavy
on the tartan and bones
enshrouded in despair.
I am lucid, not dreaming,
nerves on highest alert for recollections
not my own. Mentally recording.
Fear spikes my blood
as I gradually descend
through the centuries of suppression
anger and resentment
concealed in this forsaken patch of earth.
My inquisitive nature
has brought me here
to this place of utter misery.
Deeper I sink to where the blood has dried.
I've only my faith to shield me
from the clash of murderous steel
and the unimaginable horror
of frenzied hate and treachery:
an English King and Scottish Prince
so unequally matched.
The rape and pillage, torture
and slaughter...
that prompts the gnawing question:
whose side am I on?
Where the voices of the fallen call me
down into their comfortless tombs of clay.
I'm sinking, sinking
to where sunlight never reaches
and the soil weighs heavy
on the tartan and bones
enshrouded in despair.
I am lucid, not dreaming,
nerves on highest alert for recollections
not my own. Mentally recording.
Fear spikes my blood
as I gradually descend
through the centuries of suppression
anger and resentment
concealed in this forsaken patch of earth.
My inquisitive nature
has brought me here
to this place of utter misery.
Deeper I sink to where the blood has dried.
I've only my faith to shield me
from the clash of murderous steel
and the unimaginable horror
of frenzied hate and treachery:
an English King and Scottish Prince
so unequally matched.
The rape and pillage, torture
and slaughter...
that prompts the gnawing question:
whose side am I on?
Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteHatred ensures that blood and bitterness never die. And that no side is the right side.
I am always awed by the emotions your poems so deftly convey.
Yes, the saddest fact of humanity...such useless emotions, hate and intolerance.😞 I totally agree.
DeleteThank you so much, dear Friend!😊😊
I do hope you are doing OK.
Love and hugs ❤❤❤
So beautifully written that the carnage of living souls brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteHate is to predominate in our world today as it was back then...yet nothing changes for the good.
Hate is so much easier to cultivate than love so the world has a bumper crop of it growing on top of those old bones and dust!
Big Hugs and Much Love My Dearest Ygraine
xoxoxox
Dearest Jan, you are so right..when will they ever learn the futility of these negative emotions?!
DeleteAt least we don't think that way...
Oh thank you so much, my dear Friend...you are so kind!😊😊
Much love and hugs ❤❤❤
We sat and watched the old film El Sid earlier today, and I commented … even back in the 11th Century there were battles and wars … and in fact all through time there have been and continue to be wars. It is so sad.
ReplyDeleteHatred is and can be so strong but then so can love …
You've written another excellent poem Ygraine capturing the essence of the Battle.
My good wishes to you.
All the best Jan
Yes, It really is so sad..and I will never understand that age-old question...why?
ReplyDeleteIt never solved anything, did it...and it never will.
Whereas love could heal everything. It is so crazy.
Thank you, Jan...so much!😊😊
Hugs and love xxx
A Sublime piece of poetry again dear Ygraine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy and eyes are teary!
My senses refused to bear the pain and misery that battle rises
My breaths are improper and dim
Oh please don't ruin this heaven you are blessed with!
I chose my side
I will stand beside the humanity
And I stand beside you, dearest Baili! Most strongly!!
DeleteThank you so much, dear Friend...😊😊
Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤
So well said. Visiting famous battlegrounds does make you wonder.. Should there be sides at all when death is involved?
ReplyDeleteNo, Anthony, there really shouldn't.
DeleteWhat good could ever come of pointless slaughter?
Visiting this place made me feel ashamed to be English...and I began to wonder what my ancestors were doing at that point in time.
Such a sad place...
Thank you.
This was powerful. Partly because of the writing and partly because it was inconclusive. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thank you, CiL...so much!:))
DeleteDo hope all is well with you...
Greetings from Hampshire!
Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine!😊😊
DeleteSending you Blessings back...xxx
This is so heartbreaking! Such a powerful write! You capture so much in all your words! Big Hugs my beautiful friend!!! You are always in my heart!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Sweetie...with all my heart!
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of hugs back!! Love you ❤❤❤
No question, I am always with the underdog.
ReplyDeleteExquisite! xx
Yes, me too, Dale...just can't help myself... injustice is my pet hate!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much 😊😊
Do hope all is well with you. xxx
I agree!
DeleteThe shift is taking its toll for now, but all will be well. Thank you, Ygraine!
:) xx
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Hate is to predominate in our world today as it was back then...yet nothing changes for the good.
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