This is about a very beautiful and remote beach in Sutherland, right at Scotland's Northern tip. You have to walk ten miles over peat bogs from the nearest road, but its worth it. Its reputed to be the most haunted beach in Britain. I visited it on a summers' day and believe me, when you stand in the little derelict cottage, you can certainly feel something very strange!
Whether you belive in ghosts or not - the place is so special, it is worth a visit and a trudge.
Oli.
A little South, of Wild Cape Wrath,
Along an old peat cutters path,
Beneath the frowning, unbent cliffs,
Amongst the towering, sandy drifts,
Which draw a line, twixt loch and sea,
Where seals and banshees call to me,
Beside the sea stack “Am Buachaille”,
My lonely spirit trudges still.
Where two seas join, in battle fierce,
And rocks a thousand hulls have pierced,
Where breakers rise to meet the sky,
And howling gales cause sand to fly,
Midst raging tempest, bare, exposed,
In tiny house our souls repose,
Abandoned, roofless, sad, forlorn,
Through unglazed windows face the storm.
Most haunted cove of Sandwood Bay,
Your treasures tainted with dismay,
The souls who perished on your shore,
Those sailors drawn to Neptune’s floor,
Have never left, are trapped for ever,
The golden path to heaven severed,
And yet your beauty undiminished,
Will last ‘til time itself is finished.
Oli (20/09/06\)
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Brilliant
Written by matt (18 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
| So romantic and descriptive I had to put my oilskins on to finish it! |
Written by JourneyAtNight (355 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
Beautifully written with a great rhythm going on. I can imagine how stunning it must have been.
I've been to a place similar, its supposedly where Robert the Bruce went into hiding, and it has that same eerie feel to it. The way you wrote about the "unbent cliffs" and the "raging tempest" took me back there!
Keep them coming.
E x
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Stirring
Written by LynB (452 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
Oli, you must know by now how much I love your writing - it's always so descriptive, and you have a unique way with words. I could imagine myself in this place, and I would imagine that it is extremely beautiful. I can almost feel the wind in my hair...
I write poetry sometimes, but I could never write anything like this.  |
Doggerel - are you kidding?
Written by Phil (8763 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
Oli, if what you're writing at the moment is doggerel, I'm going to consider giving it up.
Another cracker.
Reread Lyn's comments - ditto for me.
All the best,
Phil. |
Thanks again.
Written by Talisker (1367 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
Lyn, Phil - are you forming an Oli fan club? I can't believe you like my stuff so much!
Matt/JAN humble thanks. I'm glad it was evocative for you. I read it again and I'm quite fond of it - only I meant to mention seagulls but forgot! So it'll be forever flawed for me - I might add another stanza....then again maybe not.
Oli.
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Well, you better believe it!
Written by LynB (452 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
I do like - no, I love - your stuff!
You don't need to add another stanza - in no way is it flawed! Even though you didn't mention seagulls, I could imagine them circling around my head, as I took in all the beauty around me! |
Seagulls?!
Written by matt (18 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
| Doesn't need seagulls - they make such a mess anyway and pinch your chips if you don't watch out. It's pretty near perfect without the ornithology. |
Seagulls?!
Written by matt (18 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
| Doesn't need seagulls - they make such a mess anyway and pinch your chips if you don't watch out. It's pretty near perfect without the ornithology. |
perfect as it is
Written by JourneyAtNight (355 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
It perfect, there's no need for another stanza. Ditto to the above - seagulls can be nasty creatures.
And you make me laugh Oli, you're either being overly modest, or just slightly dim witted, because your writing is beautiful. So stop fishing! 
E x
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Great Balladry
Written by patterjack (1927 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
Truly Tennysonian ! --
and I hope that comparison doesn't grieve your Scottish heart !
paterjack |
Greive?
Written by Talisker (1367 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
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Alfred, Lord Tennyson...
Written by Talisker (1367 comments posted) 20th September 2006 |
If only I had 1/600th of his talent I would die happy.
Oli |
Speechless
Written by mishmish (389 comments posted) 21st September 2006 |
Hi Talisker
God Almighty! I WANT to go to this place.
You've created a picture for me and I just can't get it out of my head.
Fabulous writing and I agree with PJ, this is like Tennyson...wow!
best wishes
mish x |
A humbling piece...
Written by gerardconnolly (1354 comments posted) 21st September 2006 |
Me too Oli. [ mishmish above ]
A beautifully evocatve piece conjuring up sight of an acre of our planet whereat surely its creatures may lie alongside. Not man and beast; nor Heaven and Hell. But in that composure twixt creation wherein all living things may breath together as one.
My very fondest compliments to you.
I feel only the Gael could write thus.
Slainte! |
Made my day...
Written by gerardconnolly (1354 comments posted) 21st September 2006 |
PS.
You get 'Poet of the Month Prize ' [ a small insignificant piece of life ] for reminding us all exactly what poetry is all about!!
From a non poet.
Slan! |
today
Written by fellpony (2924 comments posted) 3rd April 2007 |
this popped up in my work awaiting review box Oli - and I'm still trying to get my hair to stop standing on end.
Liked it very much, it got me from the first couple of lines. |
Written by anythingatall (6 comments posted) 12th August 2007 |
I'm new to the site and was browsing when I found this; I know it's a late comment.
Sandwood Bay is one of my favourite places and you really captured the exposure and beauty of it. Elegant and emotional. I'm blown away. |
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