Poems
The following poems and prose are taken from A History of Moments. This beautifully
illustrated book looks at Scottish History through a selection of poems and prose.
The author Douglas Watt is a performance poet who holds a PhD in 17th Century Scottish
history. The book can be ordered from http://tinyurl.com/qrrhl.
Scottish Clouds, Athelstaneford
The roots of Scottish identity lie deep within the historical period following the
demise of the Roman Empire. One of the prime symbols of Scottish nationhood is the
Saltire, a flag consisting of a white St Andrews Cross against a sky blue background.
The origin of the relationship between the Scots, St Andrew and the Saltire remains
shadowy but tradition tells us that on the eve of a battle near Athelstaneford in
East Lothian a St Andrews cross appeared in the sky. The victorious Scots adopted
the St Andrews cross as a national symbol.
Scottish Clouds, Athelstaneford
Mountains of the air
Ridges golden light
Motionless explosions
Soaring heights
Sea floor of sky
Giant grey trilobites
Sun's fire
Crossed lines of white
Soul blue
SALTIRE.
A Peace of History
Although the subject matter of history is often war and destruction, studying the
past can induce a state of meditative tranquillity.
The poem is about this paradoxical quality of history. The Wars of Independence
were a particularly brutal period lasting from the invasion of Scotland by Edward
I of England in 1296 until the victory of the Scots at Bannockburn led by Robert
I (Robert the Bruce) in 1314.
William Wallace was an inspirational leader who briefly became guardian of the realm
in 1298 having led a successful rebellion against English rule.
A Peace of History
He remembered
The most peaceful time
Of his life, when,
On St Andrews day,
Poured a whisky at 10am
By the old professor,
They sat and chatted
About the Wars of Independence;
Propaganda, lies and death.
And now, in the midst of life,
He still recalls the smell of Glenfiddich,
William Wallace grinning like a Cheshire cat,
And the trees, through the window,
At peace in their swaying silence.
Night Thoughts of Catherine of Bora
The Reformation is a very complex historical subject. In the sixteenth century Christendom
became bitterly divided when Protestants rebelled against the power and corruption
of Rome. The movement had a huge influence on Scotland which became officially protestant
in 1560.
The poem offers a different perspective of these momentous historical events. Martin
Luther was the major driving force behind the early Reformation. On 13 June 1525
he married a young woman called Catherine of Bora. At the time of their wedding
Luther was a monk and Catherine a nun and their marriage was an affirmation of Luther's
rejection of a celibate priesthood and a celebration of sexuality.
The poem is set on their wedding night after the consummation of the marriage. Luther
has fallen asleep and Catherine is reflecting on sex and theology. Justus was a
close friend of Luther who witnessed the consummation (common practice in those
days) and was apparently driven to tears.
Night Thoughts of Catherine of Bora
He's still now, sleep has found him, passion spent.
Kisses follow years of meditation,
Resolved in love all sterile argument,
Red wine, prayer, bed; our reformation.
A thousand years of dogma to repent,
But there was no transubstantiation,
Only the flickering thrusts of limbs in lust.
Witness to our blissful consummation,
The sharp sobs of dear Justus. Discontent
Cassocks cast their doctrine on the floor.
I hold him, kiss his avuncular lips.
Last night a nun, now wife or bedded whore,
By faith or love this justification?
A limp cock resting on my fingertips.