Glad to be at rest from a journey's fears
and a Sister's welcome after twenty years!
Though only five miles from Lairg's town
in Anna's home, I laid a weary head down!
No sooner had my eyelids shut out the day's last beam
when I fell into a sleep that brought about the dream!
Brought about a dream I say that surely was much more
yet how was I to know when I answered that front door?
When I opened it I was overwhelmed by an ocean of plaid,
and standing proud before the clans stood a gypsy maid!
My dream almost took on reality as I stood there aghast
for surely all those people belonged in Scotland's past?
This beauty of a gypsy girl declared "My dear bonny man
we come for you as the last of the living MacIntosh clan,
Prince Charlie's at Culloden Field with many an entourage,
he needs you there today to lead the first home charge!"
She handed me a bunch of heather tied with a tartan bow,
"Plant this at Culloden and with it our future will grow!"
With these words she faded, so from my dream I awoke,
yet hauntingly in my waking I heard the words she spoke!
Shivering uncontrollably from that bed of dreams I arose,
just as I did I swear I heard the front door softly close!
When I went downstairs I stood trembling there in the hall,
for with misty sleep now gone, those words I could recall!
As I stood with eyes agape I felt my Scot's blood gather,
lying there in tartan ribbon, sat that bouquet of heather! |
