Returning to Rum
With the shriek of seagull
And reek of diesel
We headed out through the sound
Porpoise performing
Shearwaters skidding
Roaming free of command.
West of Skye
Towards twin peaks
Sheltered by volcanic rock
Castle walls lifted
With textile riches
A place called Kinloch.
Sailing o’er to Rum
Got the wind and salt in my eyes
Was a big old wooden trawler
Chugging out with the morning tide.
Casting nets and catching cod
The fishermen have gone
To quench trucks and cars and thirsty jets
The chance with oil might come.
Tangled in a mass of weed
Sea otters roll over on their backs
Holding urchins in their claws
Swims come with tasty snacks.
Sailing o’er to Rum
Got the wind and salt in my eyes
Was a big old wooden trawler
Chugging out with the morning tide.
© J. Ashley Nixon (2006)
Photograph
Original photograph made in May 1986, my second year of expeditions to the beautiful Isle of Rum where I did my Ph.D. in ecology. Digital copy from Fujichrome Slide film created using a Fujifilm X-T4, Mar 2021. See J. Ashley Nixon Photography for more images from Rum.
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I had forgotten this poem. It’s grand! I think you should do a physical return to Rum someday, take lots more photos, write a few more lines, and add to your Betula Books publications x
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I am rearing to return to Rum. Looks like I will have to wait at least until 2022!
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