A Journey Among the Highlands
This poem is dedicated to Yasmin as well. I wrote it in response to a poem that she wrote for me. In this poem, a creature tells of his journey among the Highlands.
Redwall is © by Brian Jacques, All rights reserved.
A Journey Among the Highlands
By
Foxpiper
As I walked among the Highlands, my footpaws felt the earth,
Forming paw prints in the ground blessed by my very mirth;
I was always proud to call these Highland hills my own,
Even though I silently drifted over them all alone.
A gentle breeze glided over the land urging my tail to flow,
Whilst the sun shone down upon my face and caused my fur to glow;
Truly, this land was only meant for creatures of Northland birth,
Who could look around and embrace these hills for all their worth.
As I continued to roam, I found a glen between a secluded dale,
Which offered a beautiful loch where much wildlife did prevail;
The rowan trees bowed gently toward the patches of bonnie heather,
And all the whilst, I stood in awe and enjoyed the peaceful weather.
Soon, I began to grow weary thus I settled against a large rock,
Whilst I hummed the mystical tune of an ancient piobaireachd;
Even the tranquil winds lilt a tune around each furry ear,
And before long, I was lulled to sleep in this land that I held dear.
Sadly, I was whisked away into a nightmare from long ago,
A battle between rival clans fought on a bloody field of snow;
As I piped the soldiers onward, I heard them shout our battle cry,
Whilst I played with tear-streaked eyes as I watched my brethren die.
Suddenly, a well-guided arrow struck me directly in my side,
Causing me to roar in agony as I stumbled and lost my stride;
Alas, my heart-wrenching cries were not heard among the screams,
Until I finally faded away with all my hopes and dreams.
I awoke with a startle; my entire body was covered in sweat,
My memory of that dreadful day is something I shall never forget;
As the cool winds comforted me, I decided to end my stay,
And thus, I parted into the mists and floated over the brae.
As I drifted among the Highlands, I no longer felt the earth,
Instead, I silently flew over the ground blessed by my own mirth;
Always remember this sacred land for both its beauty and strife,
For it is among these Highland hills that I lost my very life.