Duncan Ferguson was prompted to write this poem by his favourite themes of standing stones and solstices. It has references to places with personal resonances for him – his childhood on Islay; living in Lochgilphead and Tobermory; and Ireland and France, the two countries for which he has a special affection.
SOLSTITIUM AESTATIS MMXVII
(or A Summer Solstice Ode to Standing Stones)
Callanish and Stonehenge
Beltany to Carnac
Kilmartin Glen
Ballinaby and Baliscate
Fingal’s limpet hammers
the Ring of Brodgar
~
The aligning sun smiles brightly
in the undarkened sky
at midsummer moonlit ceilidhs
casting shadows
among monumental megaliths and menhirs
on island and mainland
on the longest day
on the shortest night
moving seamlessly
from spring to summertime
~
Note on standing stone locations mentioned:
~
Beltany - in County Donegal (Ireland)
Kilmartin Glen - near Lochgilphead, in Mid-Argyll
Ballinaby – on west coast of Islay
Baliscate – at Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Fingal’s limpet hammers – two standing stones on Colonsay
Ring of Brodgar – on Orkney
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