Michaels story

I remember when I first saw the mountains
It was Monadhliath in the Highlands
I was so impressed
And I’ve lost my breath
And I’ve heard my heart beating fast
I’ve asked my dad, why don’t we move here
It’s so beautiful in fact
But he said we should stay where we are right now
There’s a load there for us to be done.
But he promised to take me back again
To the mountain Monadhliath.
 
* * *
But we never went back – he died last year
Now it’s me, my mum and granddad.
And we have neither money nor time
To go back to the Monadhliath.
Eh, I missed my dad
So does everyone else
He was a great and caring men
He used to give a piggy back
To all the kids he ken…
Oh, no forget the piggy back,
I just don’t know how to say…
He was good and helpful in any way
For the ones who needed a talk, or a hand
Or a suggestion, or…
Well…
I don’t know, I just miss him
I miss him a lot,
And I shouldn’t be telling you this,
But you know, I’ve decided to live as he did
And I know he’d be proud of me.
Every time I’m about to decide something
I just think what my dad would’ve done
And it gives me strength and a clear mind
And I know that he sees me too.

* * *      

Once upon a time when I’m grown up
And I’m big and strong as my dad
I will take my kids for a weekend trip
To the mountain Mondhliath.
I will show them the beauty of the Highlands
I will tell them: “It’s your land”
We will sit on a rock
And think of those
Who gave us our lives
Of those who kept it all for us
Who cared,
Who saved the land.
And I hope they’ll grow up and remember well
What ones had to tell them their dad.
By the time we’re finished it’ll be night time
And we’ll make our way back
I’ll look at the night sky
And find the star
On which is now my dad.
And I’ll smile at it and wave at it
And the star-light comes upon us
I will know then – my dad is proud of me
On his beautiful star-land.

* * *       

I’ve just told you all that
I don’t know why
It is something I’m shy about
But I know it’s good,
I know it’s right
And I hope you will not laugh
And I hope that you aren’t going to say:
“It’s just boyish, and it will pass”
I don’t want it to go
It’s my oath to get it done
Coz I want a better life
I don’t want to eat oysters made of shit,
Oh, sorry it calls GMO
All I want is the sea to be clean again
And the land to grow real food.

   * * *

Hey, I’m calling all boys and girls
To come and join me
Coz together we’ll surely win
Our land, our sea,
Our sky, our pride
Hey, let’s make it real!
               
                Edinburgh Winter 2002

*Ken – Scots for ‘know’
*Monadhliath – Mountain in Scotland