Museum Of The Isles Poem by Laurence Overmire

Step into the gallery and step into
Another world

Like a cave lit by firelight

You can see
The longboats coming
The Vikings on their way
Druids weave their spells
Casting shadows on the walls
Stonehenge giants greet
The sun, the moon and
The stars

The ancient Bards are singing:

'O Children of Conn of the
Hundred Battles
Now is the time for you
To win recognition.'

'O sturdy heroes
O most sprightly lions
O battle-loving warriors
O brave, heroic firebrands...'

O Children of Conn remember...

Somerled, the progenitor
The Lordship of the Isles

'In ther time was great peace and welth
In the isles thro the ministration of justice'

Peace, wealth and justice

Elusive qualities, these three
We still seek
To know
Their meaning

Across the centuries
The tales
Of a clan
Of a people
Are written in the minds
And in the hearts
Of those who wish
To know

Go on the quest
To the netherworlds
Find your answers
And find
Yourself.

~ Laurence Overmire

(Previously published in The Ghost of Rabbie Burns: An American Poet's Journey Through Scotland, Indelible Mark Publishing,2016)

Note: The Museum of the Isles is located on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and tells the story of Clan Donald (MacDonald) .