Pilgrim
18" x 24"
acrylic / canvas

"Pilgrim overboard !" The call was heard
above the seagull's scream.
"He's left his prayerbook and a note.
It seems he's left the team".

We were sailing to the Holy Isle,
to St. Mungo's blessed shrine
when this strange desire to drift away
assailed my weary mind.

One Celtic cross too many
one Hermit's cave too far
hairy chaffing underpants
and stale prayers in a jar.

So I scribbled down a farewell note
"Goodbye cruel world . Blah. Blah ".
then slipped out of the wooden boat
and set my sights afar.

I throw off my robes of monkhood
and joined a travelling show
to walk the tightrope daily
wearing tights that did dayglow.

I laughed with bearded ladies
carried drunken midgets home.
I sang and slept with the Bengal tiger
and shared his breakfast bone.

With no thought for tomorrow
and thoughts but for the day
from Glasgow down to Tuscany
I lived to dance and play.

I learned to juggle ferrets
to spit fire from my nose
and I loved those show folks dearly
in their shabby glitzy clothes.

But one evening in December
in a town that had no name
dung covered and carried naked
by those of sozzled midget fame . . .

. . . I saw my future clearly
as in a crystal ball
married to to the dog faced girl . . .
my life was in free fall.

So on the morrow early
I saddled up my horse
and waving to the tattoed lady
set out upon my course.

Before too long I met my old friends
sitting by their fire
singing songs of gladness
for it was their heart's desire.

And they welcomed me most warmly
gave me mugs of hot strong tea
and as we set off for St. Aidan's
the truth was plain to see.

I'll always wear my pilgrim's robes
through life's great lows and heights
but underneath in gold and red...
I'll wear the harlequin's tights.