(C) Scottish Society of Martha's Vineyard, 2017 - P.O. Box 1895, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Poet Laureate Archive 4:    "MV Ancient"

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"MV Ancient"
A tartan was ordered

of stunning design

to match a fine thread count

with colors sublime

Bright blues and crips greens

lined with black and snow white

Drawn by Phil Smith

a work of delight

The green is the island

we treasure our home

the blue is the ocean that keeps its alone

Pure white is the foam that breaks

on the shore

While black are the lives

we'll see nevermore

The ones that are lost in that

deepest blue sea

as Dr. Smith's ancestor

was destined to be

But somehow in thread count

of old color charts

a problem developed too far past the start

Wheels were in motion and before

they could brake

a tartan was woven too dark for our sake.

Of bright blues and greens

Ancient was used

and of this resulted unusual hues

So I'm left with a version

of ties and scarves

A beautiful pattern resembling ours

But remember that kilts

come in multiple ways

Modern and Ancient

depending on days

Events or the weather

Funerals, births,

weddings, and christenings

Choice has its worth

So I give you

this Ancient MV tartan today

and promise to make good

the next time I say

I'll be sure the color

and thread count's just so

If I have to move into the mill then I'll go

The Board will meet

and decide what to do

But I'm sure we can sell these

fine products to you

For even if the color is wrong

This mistake will be famous long

after I'm Gone.

by Steve Ewing