IN MACLEOD COUNTRY
by Andrew Robinson
In the Northwest Highlands, Wester-Ross,
Ullapool, Loch Broom, Poolewe, Gairloch,
the dogs are black & white. Sassenachs
take them for collies, but they’re larger,
more of a match for any visitor.
The front door stays locked. Everyone only
ever comes to the back door, which is
always open. The rule is, knock, push wider,
step in, call. The dog, if he knows you, might
get up, stretch, and say hello. But mostly
he stays put. He'll open perhaps one
eye to let you know he's telling you,
You may put your [parcel] on the shelf
or leave it in the right place to the [left]
of the door. You may step in to do that
precisely and not an inch further.
The dog is in charge, it's his house, his
rules of the sun by day and of the moon
by night for going out and coming in.
The lassies are in such ways similar.
Black hair, snowdrop skin, grey or green eyes,
lips to die for drinking all your life.
They have their rules, their customary
ways of being, any visiting
laddie must learn how to follow, or he's
nowhere. And it can be his mistake
to suppose that the quiet, unruffled
presentation is all that it seems.
You knock once, call, step into the small
space allowed, and it can take a while
before you may if ever come in more.
It doesn't stop there, however. Some
bring gifts of incense, smellies & bath oils,
jewellery, precious metals. Whatever.
Leave them on the shelf or by the door,
where the dog says exactly. When he's
ready he'll tell her. Till then all you have
to do is wait. Provided you don't make
a move she knows until then you'll be safe.
by Andrew Robinson
In the Northwest Highlands, Wester-Ross,
Ullapool, Loch Broom, Poolewe, Gairloch,
the dogs are black & white. Sassenachs
take them for collies, but they’re larger,
more of a match for any visitor.
The front door stays locked. Everyone only
ever comes to the back door, which is
always open. The rule is, knock, push wider,
step in, call. The dog, if he knows you, might
get up, stretch, and say hello. But mostly
he stays put. He'll open perhaps one
eye to let you know he's telling you,
You may put your [parcel] on the shelf
or leave it in the right place to the [left]
of the door. You may step in to do that
precisely and not an inch further.
The dog is in charge, it's his house, his
rules of the sun by day and of the moon
by night for going out and coming in.
The lassies are in such ways similar.
Black hair, snowdrop skin, grey or green eyes,
lips to die for drinking all your life.
They have their rules, their customary
ways of being, any visiting
laddie must learn how to follow, or he's
nowhere. And it can be his mistake
to suppose that the quiet, unruffled
presentation is all that it seems.
You knock once, call, step into the small
space allowed, and it can take a while
before you may if ever come in more.
It doesn't stop there, however. Some
bring gifts of incense, smellies & bath oils,
jewellery, precious metals. Whatever.
Leave them on the shelf or by the door,
where the dog says exactly. When he's
ready he'll tell her. Till then all you have
to do is wait. Provided you don't make
a move she knows until then you'll be safe.