The Light Of Iona

A tiny island Off the southwest coast Of Mull In the Inner Hebrides Scotland's cradle of Christianity In 563, Columba landed And began his missionary work The desolate island transformed into A bastion of learning Contemplation and Healing Poetry flourished on this diminutive Fragment of earth The monastery library became one of the Greatest In Western Europe A tremendous light in a very Dark age The Book of Kells One of the most beautiful works of Art Ever created Probably had its origins here Pilgrims from many lands Made the journey To this holy place Many of the ancient kings of Dalriada Scotland and Ireland Norway and France Were laid to rest in its sacred ground The Relig Odhráin: Kenneth MacAlpin Duncan I Macbeth Donalbane St. Oran's Chapel Within the graveyard Dates to the 12th century Perhaps Built by Somerled himself The Lord of the Isles You cannot help but feel The magnitude of the ages The lives that have come and gone Seeking Sanctification and Re-connection to the Infinite. ~ Laurence Overmire (Previously published in The Ghost of Rabbie Burns: An American Poet's Journey Through Scotland, Indelible Mark Publishing,2016)