North Coast 500

by Clare O'Brien

“Scotland’s ultimate road trip…stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages, hidden gems, and a wealth of unforgettable experiences.”

Released from clockwork time and tide, 
they come to play. To race on thunderwheels,
to bag the mountains, take the trophies home,
 to pin the light on Instagram.  

None of that is real. They think they make the most 
of us, our big wild skies, unfathomable lives. 
Complete the circle, log the time they spent, 
count the cash they didn’t.

When the weather closes in they will return us 
to ourselves, a tattered library book.  The land 
they borrowed licks its wounds and weeps. 
In spring they will come back.