'Ach Well...'

 

The dreich sky

promises rain

and threatens

storms,

but the incomer

says how lovely

the green hills

are.

 

And it’s

“Ach well,

Wullie Bell,”

and “Och aye,

Jock McKay”.

 

They drive through

a battle-field

and blabber

trite and dubious

guide-book history

still taught in

schools.

 

And It’s

“Ach Well,

Wullie Bell,”

and “Och Aye,

Jock McKay”.

 

They make their

permanent mark

on insta

bright and plastic

photo shoppery

on Edinburgh

streets.

 

And it’s

“Ach Well,

Wullie Bell,”

and “Och Aye,

Jock McKay”.

 

And what if

pestilent air

stops travel

far and needless

exploration

in this theme-park

North?

 

It’s “jist

as well,

Wullie Bell,

dinnae cry,

Jock McKay.”