I couldn't give a toss for the caber
cromach bagpipes sporran or kilt
(a fling's the thing)
and you can stick your dirk in your haggis
up to its bog-wood hilt
yet I'd like to hike through the heather
on happy Sassenach holidays
see the scenery admire the view
along Scottish hilly highways and byways
to pick a pink-purple thistle or two
and should I come upon a hairy Highland cow
on the hoof in a friendly farmer's flink fold
(for protection from the cold)
in no uncertain terms I would declare
"I say to you, hoo noo broon coo?"
och aye no sooner said than done
than perchance from the Caledonian bovine one
the reply too true in a Scots burr would come...
'Moo!'
Standing for freedom’s supremacy
Legitimately granted to be enjoyed
I am the "Freedom Pub*"
Tenaciously upholding what I believe is lawful
Anchored by the Constitution
Which strongly buttresses this nation I am part of…
Speaking for humane practices
That exposes unlawful mandates
Imposed by the government
I am the "Freedom Pub"
And I refuse to discriminate against anyone
Who is fulfilling his/her granted role with peace.
With this declaration
I am the "Freedom Pub"
Inviting all to feast rightfully inside my building
Against fear of being segregated or neglected
While welcoming the vaccinated and unvaccinated
To dine in, celebrating good health… blest by the Almighty**.
*Caledonian Hotel of Singleton NSW, Australia
**Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
January 7, 2023
2nd place, "Freedom Pub" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Joe Maverick; judged on 1/9/2023.
Edited on January 14, 2023
In the town of Singleton, Hunter valley, NSW
Stands the Caledonian hotel, called the Cali
Famous not only for its popular pub
But also for standing strong for Aussies freedom.
Mystery surrounds the hotel, claimed haunted
As four people died for unknown reason
Unexplainable voices are heard in the rooms
Not known if these are legends or true.
Upholding the access of entry in the Cali for all
The Federation Aussie Flag on its roof
Stood for the law of the land that supported
Human rights, freedom of choice, respect of dignity.
Although the symbol of Aussies freedom
And indeed of liberty of the humanity and the world
The flag was taken down by a special order
The famed country pub is crowned the Freedom Hotel.
_______________
January 4, 2023
Contest : Freedom Pub
Sponsored by : Joe Maverick
Dusk On the Murray River
A crimson red blanket hangs over the river, shrouding its steep muddy banks.
This is dusk on the Murray River, the Mississippi of this great land.
Fifteen hundred miles of slow-flowing water linking state to state and ocean to mountain.
What secrets do your Cod and Trout hide as they navigate your murky waters?
Night arrives quickly here in Echuca.
Dusk is brief at this place which means meeting of the waters.
Overhead Sulphur Crested Cockatoos gather in their masses, screeching their way into my thoughts as they swoop around me.
Darkness falls
I want to stay out as late as possible, delaying my return to a budget hotel with a kicked-in door.
My room in the Caledonian hotel is one of the worst places I have ever laid my head.
The grubby stained carpet is as brown as the river.
Unease comes over me as I try to settle on a lumpy bed.
Sleep will not come
I feel unsafe looking at the kicked-in door.
The sound of the birds fills my head.
We wore our meri blouses
And on stilts built our houses…
We carried our bilums so beautiful
And custom dressings so very colourful.
We wore our island dresses
And displayed our art in richness…
We played our native string-band
And drew creative designs on sand.
We wore our dark sulus
And brown costumes not too loose…
We had high standards of fashion sense
And portrayed our crafts so immense.
We wore our shell necklaces
And a smile on our pretty faces…
We proudly exhibited our pan-piping
And were famous for our musical singing.
We wore our Caledonian dresses
And straw hats with leaves of freshness…
We spoke in our native francophone
And laid out our valuable money in stone.
So much vast diversity in culture
And numerous traditions needing nurture…
So much customs unique in many ways
Being revived and exposed these 14 days.
Though we were faced with many challenges
We have overcome for much further voyages…
PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon & New Caledonia –
Still one and still celebrating the values and spirit of our Melanesia.
13 Years
Rolling wheels,
Through fields of heather,
Browns and purples,
Steel blue of cold,
Regimented act of military manoeuvre,
It's perpetrators oblivious of its repetitive farce.
As we enter this erie caledonian mist,
A sleepless and dream like state,
From our early sojourn and departure,
Our purpose to reach a distant grave,
Accomplished under cover of night.
Dreams of fresh, crisp, loch pine air,
Diluted with local village coal,
A visit made in tribute,
To a lost or unspent soul.
Differing feelings of mourning,
Expressed with silent thoughts,
the drifting scent of roses,
As they bob gently from the shore,
An incident barely spoke of,
Just great sadness....disbelief,
Has become a surreal transcendental feeling,
More of spiritual connection than of grief!
Copyright
S.Rose
Welcome to my home for this is where I'll stay
It's where I was born, and where I'll end my days
It rests on the banks, of the Caledonian Canal
Surrounded by it's Highland beauty, in typical enthral
Cedars, Firs and Birch trees, iconic in their settings
Rain clouds often surround us, cascades them in their wetting
Then there's the carpets of heather, that cover clannish grounds
Where you can tip toe over it's surface, and not even leave a sound
To view the blooms of gorse, and marvel at our thistles
Just leaves you so in awe, walking with a whistle
We appreciate what nature gives, these breathing awesome beings
To watch them in her wilds, we rub our eyes at seeing
We are steeped in wondrous history, some good and not so grand
But nowhere on this earth, will you have stepped on welcomed lands
So welcome to my home, of mountains and the glens
Where us Highlanders reside, the ultimate of men
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/scotland-4.php
Rustic mountains
Through glaciations
Moulded this wonderful
Scottish Nation
Caledonian Forests
Covered our land
On our Western Islands
Golden beached sands
Glens and rivers
Cris cross our land
Glorious moors
Where the Highland Stag stands
Majestic and tall
Proud and might
This king of beasts
The most wonderful sight
Scenery to thrill
Heather-ed in purpled bloom
Look out any window
Its our own front room
Golden Eagles
Soar above these lands
Winged royalty
In their blue blooded strand
Our contribution to our modern world
Is all around us, read and learn
Logie Baird, with Television
Pedal Cycle, Kirkpatrick MacMillan
Medical marvel, Penicillin
In other Nations our touch has felt
Our Ancestors us, we Celts
For centuries we cast our nets
To further lands
We were always met
Friendly Scots in every way
Gave this world
A better say
America, Canada, New Zealand too
Us Scots are in me and you
Ancestral blood runs through our veins
The quite wonderful Scottish strain
Alba.
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/scotland.php