The Crossing

I wrote this poem in response to a call out on sensuality in Scotland which was inspired by Nan Sheppard’s book The Living Mountain and it was recently published in Lucent an anthology of women’s writing in response to the call out as was my poem The Haunting. The inspiration for this piece came as I recalled a visit to Arran and how I connected with nature due to the peace I felt on the island I’ve titled it The Crossing I hope you enjoy the read

The Crossing

In the bracing late winter air
I stood at the top of goatfell discovering myself :
in moments alone with nature .
I knew, just as dusk began to set on Arran skies .
I could no longer lie, to myself or anyone else .
a journey had to start,

my heart screamed woman .
calling me by a name
not yet chosen ,
telling me she will take me home .
but to ready myself
and prepare for crossing .

there would be significant storms .
before arriving
on the shores,
of a place
where I would finally be myself
having completed the route
she mapped in a geographers heart
when I breathed in the force of her power .
allowing her to take me where she must
to learn what I needed to know
to blossom in to the full bloom of my truth

© Gayle Smith 2021