A day of reflection and introspection,
Of looking backwards and forwards simultaneously,
mimicking Światowid,
who with four heads could survey at once
the four corners of the earth.
2015 was not yet extinguished whilst
2016 had a foot firmly over the threshold,
waiting patiently to be ushered in.
It was a day of musings and premonitions
Of endings and conclusions,
Of beginnings and introductions
and all the while Din Eidyn or
Edinburgh whispering to us on the breeze,
calling from the ancient seat of King Arthur,
his bulbous extinct volcanic plug
gracing majestically the skyline for miles around.
********************
We answered the summons,
the Lang Wang tween Lanark and Auld Reekie
dark and foreboding, dull and weighty,
as if carrying the burdens of the old year
upon it’s worn and well travelled surface.
The bleakly wild and beautiful countryside
shrouded in a cloak of secret mystery.
As the witching hour approached
we settled ourselves against your ancient rocks,
surveying the splendour of your illuminated panorama,
your historic spires and steeples, towers and domes
colourfully spotlit, all eyes upon the Castle,
principal dancer in the long awaited performance!
********************
As the communal countdown ended
and your battlements shimmered with changing hues,
meticulously orchestrated showers of textures and colours
errupted in perfect symmetry and synchronicity
against a crisp and clear winter sky.
Fireworks fizzed and effervesced,
joyfully embracing each other
against the night canvas,
their deep sonic booms resonating for miles
as gunpowder exploded and a frenzy of energy was released
and all the while a string of oohs and aahs
streaming from incredulous mouths!
As the final and biggest bouquet of golden cornucoppias errupted,
we were enveloped by love and laughter, hugs and kisses
and strains of Auld Lang Syne, picked up by the wind
and dispered in all directions, like ghostly messages.
********************
“Should old acquaintance be forgot” emblazoned deeply
in thought and in heart this night so poignantly,
knowing that a dear friend’s life-cord had finally been cut,
blissful release at last for a beautiful soul
from it’s agony of pain and crippling sickness
and succour for loved ones harrowly observing and comforting,
anguish and helplessness a canopy covering all earthly exchanges.
“Alláh-u-Abhá” my dear and blesséd friend…
Rest in eternal peace and bliss.
We retrace our steps, tangibly aware of the frailty and brittleness of Life
and give thanks that we are still here, to love, to cry, to live, to just be!
For another year…Insha Allah, God willing…
********************
Fluid good wishes, promises and hopes appliquéd onto
Elderflower cordial and cava in tall fluted glasses!
Returning along the Lang Wang of 2016,
all is brilliantly lit up by a glowing orange segment moon,
lying mellow and unperturbed in a sky devoid of light pollution,
surrounded by a trillion stars of varying intensity.
The Heavens in all their majesty speak to us of
past and forgotten memories and gently cajole us into
Remembering…
a trusting acceptance that we are indeed held lovingly in
the palm of the Beloved…
The once lack lustred and dull waters of Harperrig
now lit up and illuminated with a heavenly glow.
********************
Hogmanay: In Scotland, New Year’s Eve and the celebrations that take place at this time.
Światowid: an ancient Slavic deity with 4 heads, each looking in a separate direction and symbolically at the 4 seasons, at once.
Din Eidyn: a dun or hill fort associated with the kingdom of the Gododdin, 550-650 B.C. Some scholars say that this is the original location of modern day Edinburgh.
King Arthur’s Seat: the main peak of the group of hills in Scotland, that form most of Holyrood Park. It is situated in the centre of Edinburgh, an extinct volcanic plug, 1 mile, ( 1.6km ), to the east of Edinburgh Castle.
Lang Wang: Long Way in Scots, forms part of the A70 major road between Ayr on the West coat and Edinburgh on the East coast.
Auld Reekie: Scots for “old Smokey”, an affectionate name for the city as in days of old the smoke rising from the lums, ( chimneys ), could be seen floating heavily over the Old Town, when viewed from surrounding countryside.
Alláh- u-Abhá: God is the most Gracious, ( Arabic ). A greeting used by Babhá’is upon meeting and repeated many times throughout the day.
Auld Lang Syne: literally in old Scots, times long past. It is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. In English speaking countries it is sung at the stroke of midnight to bid farewell to the old year.
Photographs: with courtesy and thanks to: http://www.autoeurope.com and http://www.edinburghtourist.co.uk
Welcome back! Happy new year! Look forward to more…
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Thank you kindly my friend… I aim to be back and stay being back now! And a positive and joyful 2016 to you and yours also, my friend. Thank you 💥✨🌟💫
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👍 😊
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A very beautiful poem rich with ancient images and filled with powerful reflections on the past year and the year ahead! I liked your glossary at the end for those not steeped in the knowledge of myths.
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What kind words and Thank you Peter…as mentioned earlier your words give me continued confidence and inspiration. I thought in this instance with so many old Scots words and the odd Polish and Arabic…a glossary was almost essential. Glad you found it helpful. Hope you are Both gliding gracefully into this new year that is now upon us. We will be attending a Bahái funeral sometime soon… That is for sure… Ah well… Tis Life! Take care and it feels good to be connecting on here again. 🌱🌾It will be Spring before we know it… 😀
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Happy New Year Krys! May 2016 unleash blessings to you never before known! This is a powerful poem. It shows how much time and thought you’ve put into it. As someone has observed, the glossary is very useful. May your ink flow even more this 2016!
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Thank you my friend. So glad you liked it ! My good wishes to you… 😀
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Thank you my sweet friend. I like the things you post. More blessings to you.
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