ARTHUR’S SEAT • by Jennifer Stakes

Tilting towards colour
on the pale edge
we stand, arms outstretched,
drunk with ownership
of the granite city below

All of it is ours:
the soft contoured tenements,
staggering up through the grey haze
to the Castle, the molar
crowning the slanting toothline of the Royal Mile.

And beyond: Scotland, the World,
the Future. All of it is ours.

The windows beneath burn, stern
in the first shards of dawn.
They reflect our dizzy naivety
year on year on year on year.

 


Jennifer Stakes Jen describes herself as ‘international’ and is almost entirely fuelled by tea. http://writerinthewilderness.blogspot.com/

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ARTHUR'S SEAT • by Jennifer Stakes, 3.9 out of 5 based on 14 ratings
Posted on November 30, 2009 in Holiday/Occasion, Literary
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10 Responses to “ARTHUR’S SEAT • by Jennifer Stakes”


  1. Oonah V Joslin Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 3:47 am

    Happy St Andrew’s Day to all you Scots and anyone who, like me will take any opportunity to get up at the screigh of day and go out hunting a haggis for supper :) A lovely picture of Edinburgh, Jennifer.

  2. Fehmida Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Beautiful poem, enjoyed very much :)

  3. Joan Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 5:06 am

    An excellent celebration of St Andrew’s Day. Wonderful images and sentiments. Well done.

  4. Bill West Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 5:36 am

    Fabulous images! So appropriate for St Andrew’s Day. Well done.

    Bill

  5. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 7:25 am

    I was lucky to be in Edinburgh once, about 16 years ago. The images in this piece brought up some wonderful memories!

  6. Oonah V Joslin Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 9:04 am

    and just look at Jennifer’s blog entry today :)
    http://writerinthewilderness.blogspot.com/

  7. Jen Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Thanks, everyone! Have a good Saint Andrew’s Day.

  8. Amy Corbin Says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Really great poem.

  9. Marc Latham Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 3:56 am

    I ran my first marathon in Edinburgh, starting with a run up Arthur’s Seat, so thanks for bringing back great memories with an evocative poem.

  10. Caroline 'Choille' Says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 5:30 am

    Great poem Jen.

    Brought back a crisp walk up there one New Year’s Day – many moons ago.

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