Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides by James Boswell

Monday, 30th August 1773: Inverness, Fort Augustus.

About three miles beyond Inverness, we saw, just by the road, a very complete specimen of what is called a Druid's temple. There was a double circle, one of very large, the other of smaller stones. Dr Johnson justly observed, that, 'to go and see one druidical temple is only to see that it is nothing, for there is neither art nor power in it; and seeing one is quite enough'.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Barbury Castle roundhouse



Life on the Chalk Downs

It is here men dig
and dive under the earth
to dream
like
moths
of who will be
the Winter King

Stones are set in rings of fire
spirals gaze up at the stars
wishing they were closer
Dense forests hide groves
tended by maidens
with limbs
carved
from moonstone
watching Crones
weave the destiny of kingdoms
from the wombs of mothers
writhing on sheepskins
in the dark corners of huts

While out on the chalk downs
eldest sons
with
swords raised
wait to see which of their fathers
will burst forth from the mound

© 2009 Persephone Vandegrift

Interior wall painting at Barbury Castle roundhouse