As I rested here outside my door
On a long-gone summer’s day;
I viewed mountain top to valley floor
Where Burn waters play.
Faithful dog always at my side,
Alert and crouching down;
Watched every nook and leafy hide
With eye of blue and brown.
At that time of year a mild air
Meandered o’er the hill;
‘Twas then I saw my true love fair,
Wild vision the eye to thrill.
Head held high in forthright stride,
Hair tousled in the breeze;
Free as the birds on this hillside,
Her contours moved with ease.
The golden mane upon her head
Glinted in the light;
Pale of face and lips of red
A proud tantalising sight.
Through passing years we grew old,
Our offspring free and gone;
Oh! At times I see that vision bold,
Her skipping along like a fawn.
Snow of life’s winter fell on her hair,
Frame bent from survival and toil;
But I love her still, resting just there,
At one with the hillside soil.
Her spirit is here o’er the heather to roam,
As mists cloud my ageing eye;
In whispering winds around this home,
Until with her I lie.
Monty Alexander 23.12.97