Voices from the Canna Chapel

I recall I found you
Like love beyond the Long Island

Like she said,
"Where the Mallaig men take the ropes".

Even so I hunted for a remedy
Ears strained for the opium songs.

You'd unstarched your collar,
Cast off the Calvanist mantle.

Its brimstones fizzed, ineffectual
In the black folds of the Minch,

Huff- puffed in the snowy Cuillin.
Your doors were always open

We fumbled in, wore a bed
Of your mute floors, lowered our heads,

Dove-sighs at the Lily bowl.
Each night we must weigh these anchors,

Drive the ocean west from your eyes.