Ghosts of St Kilda

Storm beach of Hirta
Black houses of Village Bay
Thro' still photographs
Fancies fly away

Precariously o'er Hebridean cliffs
Above raging Atlantic roar
Harvesting fulmar - eggs - sea-fowl
For "cleit" house-store

Precious cargo from the sea
Driftwood borne on shore-strewn scree
Sheep grazing on lush green hills
Rough tweeds woven to barter bills

Rotary querns grinding grain
Oil lamps - relentless lashing rain
Peat fires warmly burning
Sea in agitation churning

Time suspended in exhibition
Ruthlessly takes back
The ghosts of St Kilda's Isle
Are there behind my back

Submitted by Anna MacDonald