Joan Buchan Stephen Black
Pat Murray recently sent this to me, for inclusion on the website.
In September of 1975,
I sailed round the Cape of Good Hope on a ship bound for a new life in
Australia. My mother, Joan, had always dreamed of experiencing such a voyage,
but never did and so, enjoyed it vicariously. She wrote and sent me this poem
which I’d like to share with the family.
Round the Cape
With other eyes I see
my vision,
With other feet I
stand on rock,
With other ears I
hear the pounding
Of turbulent oceans
run amok.
Writhe, green wave,
and topple over;
Lift me up and plunge
me down.
Scream, grey wind of
gaping sockets,
Trail your vibrant,
tattered gown.
Peaceful waters,
nurse me gently,
Sing the dolphins’
song of love.
Croon, light wind, of
ghostly tresses,
Of life beneath, and
blue above.
With other eyes I saw
my vision,
With other feet I
stood on rock,
With other ears I
heard the pounding
Of turbulent oceans
run amok.
Joan
Buchan Stephen Black, September, 1975
Here is another of
her poems:
Memories
of Skye.
Through the sad hills
See on the moorland
Past a slash of white
marble
The shy purple orchis
Round the grey
gleaming water
Queen
of wild flowers
Then wind down the
hill
In the thin green grasses
To the brown timeless
burn
Sough through the moorland
Forever and ever
Westerly
wind
Tumbling down to the
sea Breathing
their perfume to me
Sun on the water
See images coloured
Grey cloud on the
Cuillin
In rainbows of fancy
Black rock and white
marble
See herons in flight
Grey cloud and black
Cuillin
Hear seabirds wild echo
Sunset floating on
water
Receding – remotely-
Westerly wind
Remember – remember-
Whispering a magical
croon
Bring peace back to me
This was written
in1976 and sent to me in one of her regular letters to me in Australia. She
wrote, ‘Doddy likes it’. I
think Doddy was already in Skye. Love
to all, Pat