The lay of the land

by Ian Stephen

Lewisian gneiss was edged, down–ocean.
Durness rocks continue at St John’s.
Our islands haven’t shifted for a while

but our orientation
changes from year to year,
like compass variation.

We’ve got history from before Bannockburn —
navigators in boats of skin,
architects of chambered cairns.

The stepping stones are skewed.
We sail from Tamnavay by Skara Brae.
A course to Muckle Flugga, Faroe, Westmann.

Subsistence skills are still good
for new livelihoods
from the recreation of others.

Our dyes dare deep to saturation.
We tether visitors to cliffs or
bounce them out to archipelagos.

Our future is
dependable as damp
irregular as waves.

Like our shuttles,
our multiplaited lines,
partly in our own palms.