8 Golden mile 1 21

[@maisiesummerfield265]

what a truly lovely film - it felt as if one could reach out and touch history, Could you also give a link to the wonderful poem?

[@ellengrieve2259]

Thank you for your kind comment,, I am glad that you enjoyed it. Here is a transcript of the poem. Whit wis it like, all those years ago? Tell me, please Granny, I really want to know. Were the Vikings here when you were small like me, Magnus, Rognvald, Ethelred and Harold with the hairy knees? Travelling near and far in their great longships of oak, Great bearded warriors, or were they just ordinary folk? You tell of the Knowie-folk that were buried in the cairn, Five thousand years ago, when you were a bairn? Picts, the broch builders, I think that’s what you said. They made clay pots and bone pins, you know, like the ones that we made. Fairy folk singing and dancing at the Knowe O’ Deil, Did you play your accordion and join in as weel? Ahh no, now I mind on, you said, not to follow the music, The peedie folk are clever, sneaky and full of magic! The great whaling ships, sailing away to the West, Pirates and Stowaways, those stories are the best! Singing sea shanties as they put up their sail, Did you climb the high mast Granny, to look out for the whale? Ach, come here my young friend and sit doon alongside, I’ve a story to tell you, before the ebb tide. So, listen awhile, as you always do, To a tale of adventure, known only to me, and, now to you. Right here where we sit, a long, long time ago, A young girl sat, alone in the snow. Watching and waiting, she didn’t know why, She just knew to keep still, watching the night sky. Suddenly, from a distant star, she saw a bright flash of light. One that lit up the whole hill, on that dark, mid-Winter night. And then, she saw, clear as day, An old, grey bearded man, who led her away. Holding her hand he told her many great things, Like how to listen, when the grey seals sing. How to feel the past, and see it so clear, To watch and learn and have no fear. For one whole night, they wandered afar, The shy, quiet girl and the man from the star. His wisdom he shared freely, with no thought of gain, His eyes were strong and kind, but tired, with a hint of pain. His great hand, he placed lovingly upon her head, As, so very gently, these final words, he said. “This gift, that I have given to you alone, You must keep secret, until your earthborn days are near done. Then, you will choose another, to show, The true wonders of this world and all you know”. When the girl awoke, she was all alone, Warm and contented, not froze to the bone. The snow all around was perfectly flat, No sign of footsteps or anything like that. She aye remembered, all she had seen that fateful night, But never again, did she see the old man or the light. So, now my young friend, snuggle down ever so tight, Have the sweetest of dreams, don’t let the bed bugs bite. Remember well these tales, they are now yours to tell. Goodnight, my dear friend, I wish thee well. Ellen Grieve May ‘23