Poem by Finola Scott (UK)

Published in The Ofi Press issue 45

Pilgrimage

Head south, out of Glasgow, follow signs Eaglesham, Fenwick, out away.

       Don’t stop at the tea room. Catch the sun.

Turn off, keep turning off. It’s the moor road you need. In the shadow of Balygeoch is a car-park. It’ll be busy.

        That’s not the one.

The road gets narrower, air colder, sounds clearer, lapwing plentiful, cries plaintive. The sky is wide and high. The smell of coconut gorse.

        You’d better wear wellies.

Out across the marsh, over barbed wire, through reed beds. Yellow flags of iris signal, bog cotton flutters. The land turns its back. Clegs and midge welcome you.

         Almost there.

Finola Scott’s poetry and short stories have appeared in anthologies and journals in the UK, including The Lake, Hark, Dactyl, Raum. Her  work has won & been placed in UK competitions. She is also a prize winning performance poet. She is currently one of five poets selected for this year's Clydebuilt scheme. She assists with editing New Voices Press.        

Image: 'Smart Community Fife'.