On this ground we stand and stare
Feel earthy roots beneath our feet
Down, down, layers of sparks,
Timbers, songs, memories, lives lived
Turn your eyes to the sky
The wind blows and the clouds swirl
The seas and oceans call us
Tides glitter as the lighthouse beams
Light dark light dark light dark
See the bare hills and islands
From the sky our land is a small, precious thing
And us in it, a thing to treasure
Gica
Makin A Brew Craigroyston Parents Poetry Group
On this ground we stand
As the sun splits the clouds
From time to time
While the song is clear to hear
Many a soul is creating their story
What makes the place so special?
Is it the people we meet?
The stories we tell?
Or this land?
Bursting with imprinted memories
Historical events turned into tales
To share with others
What do we leave but footprints,
Litter, glitter and song?
Once our playground
Forever our resting place
Waves keep crashing
And the sun will rise again
Susanne,
Makin A Brew Craigroyston Parents Poetry Group
Craigroyston Parents Poetry Group
Makin a Brew Poetry is a creative project for parents based in North Edinburgh. The group first met through Makin a Brew’s story and music-making sessions at Craigroyston Early Years Centre in the Community High School.
The group is now two years old, as the women themselves explain in the introduction to their new collection of poems:
‘Starting on a dark January morning in 2016, we met together on a Wednesday morning to share stories, drink tea and eat cake!
‘We decided to explore the written word and poetry – something we had never done before. Over the weeks our creative juices flowed and by the time Spring was in the air we had produced many poems, written by both individuals and as a group, along with stories, music, recordings, laughter and sometimes tears.
‘And most of all, strong friendships and a belief in our creative selves.’
Susanne Malcolm, Matilda Hatse, Moira Harvey, Claire Caballero were often joined by others – Karen, Chrsitine, Waa, Callie and more. The Makin’ a Brew group is supported by musician Gica Loening and storyteller Claire McNicol.
On This Ground We Stand
On this ground we stand
Some born on this patch of earth
The Scots tongue a’ around us
Others journeyed here,
Born on distant patch of earth.
But under the same overarching sky
We walk back and forth
through the arched shopping centre
Where pigeons roost
Past the bird boxes
“No cocks allowed” written on one
“Cos them’s the house rules”
What are the house rules on
this little patch of
earth?
Walking along the yellow brick road
To our round table sanctuary
We talk, laugh and hope
for more fairness, love, kindness
On this little patch of earth
Claire McNicol
