Tag Archives: James Aitchison

My Sheep Rock by James Aitchison

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I saw some rocks in Ireland

and the farmer there explained,

“I built myself a little wall

to keep my sheep contained.”

“The big stones on the bottom,”

the smaller ones on top,

and it cost me not a penny

for my roaming sheep to stop.”

“And who needs to have a gate

when you have this kind of pen?

I just lift some stones away,

then put them back again.”

Teacher’s note: Dry stone walls are constructed of carefully selected interlocking stones without mortar to hold them in place. Found in hilly areas of Britain, Scotland and Ireland, especially in Connemara on the West Coast where large stones exist in the soil. One system of Irish dry stone walls was carbon-dated to 3800 BC. Closer to home, dry stone walls can be found in western Victoria, some parts of Tasmania, and around Kiama in New South Wales.

Highlands Morning by James Aitchison

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Mist weeps across the peaty land,

the breaths of ancient warriors 

clothe the peaks.  

High clouds roam above 

the raw silence, a hint of gleaming

in their midst.

Once battles rolled throughout 

these glens, as Highlanders 

fought the King’s red-coated men.

No invader has stormed 

these hills again, and peace 

rests upon the folded crests.

In The Highlands by James Aitchison

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I am the vast waters beneath the ramparts,

the icy wash against black rocks;

I am the broad distances veiled by mist,

the deep and eerie lochs.

I am embedded

in every Scottish soul,

so that man, with country, 

becomes part of the whole.

Time Flies by James Aitchison

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A billion hours ago,

(count them if you must),

our ancestors were living

before they turned to dust.

It was the Stone Age then,

and Man was in fine fettle,

after which the Bronze Age

saw Man start using metal.

I wonder if their knives and forks

back then were made of stone?

Or did people eat without them,

or maybe they used bone?

Did they go to school back then,

or did they work all day?

I think that I am lucky

to be alive today!

Teacher’s note: The prehistoric Stone Age period, when stone tools were used, lasted 3.4 million years, ending with the advent of metalworking. It is believed that the Stone Age represents nearly 99.3% of human history.

The Secret Lake by James Aitchison

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A rambling path

I chose to take,

until at last it led me to

a secret magic lake.

Trees formed walls 

on every side,

and there a little bridge

I spied.

It crossed the moat

to a fortress green,

where adventures waited —

perhaps a submarine? 

I closed my eyes

and made a wish

that my backyard

could look like this!

Teacher’s note: This lake is located in Red Cow Farm, Sutton Forest, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.  The farm boasts a series of different garden “rooms”.

My Tuscan Dream by James Aitchison

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Picture a pretty villa

built with Tuscan stone,

sitting in an olive grove

with lemons nearby grown.

The skies are puffed with cloud,

the wooded hills are steep,

and in the afternoon

the people love to sleep.

The province paints your dreams

with ancient hilltop towns,

whose battlements stood guard

for many noble crowns.

From far away resounding,

a church bell chimes the hour, 

its drowsy notes a-floating 

from a lonely tower.

Teacher’s note: This villa is located in the village of Montanare, close by the enchanting hilltop city of Cortona.  Florence (in Italian, Firenze) is the capital of Tuscany, whose other famous cities include Siena and Pisa.

Cooling Off by James Aitchison

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Getting sick of summer?

I found just the spot

to cool off really fast

when you’re feeling hot.

The water’s like a mirror,

instead of sand there’s snow;

but how deep is the lake?

You don’t want to know!

Teacher’s note: This lake is one of twenty favourite tourist spots located in Germany’s Black Forest, where hiking and swimming are popular.  One lake is 40 metres deep.

My Excuse (for not keeping my 2024 New Year resolution) by James Aitchison

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I made a resolution

to keep the whole year through.

I wrote it down but lost it,

now I don’t know what to do.

I’ve searched but cannot find it,

no matter how I strive.

Oh well, I’ll make another one

in twenty-twenty-five.

Krakow Under Snow by James Aitchison

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It’s wintertime in Krakow

and by the castle wall,

the snow is fresh and deep

from this morning’s fall.

The city seems in silence,

the trees are black and bare,

and I can hear my heartbeats

in the frozen air.

Teacher’s note: Krakow is the second largest city in Poland.  Its existence can be traced back to the Stone Age.  The Old City and Wawel Castle are heritage sites. Krakow boasts one of the world’s oldest universities, and of course it is famous for Oskar Schindler’s factory which is now a museum.

Sea Gazing by James Aitchison

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I wonder what’s out in the ocean,

hiding under the sea?

A coral reef or a pirate ship,

with a chest full of treasure for me? 

I wonder what’s out in the ocean,

hiding under the waves?

A great big whale or a dolphin,

or an octopus in a cave?

I don’t know what’s out in the ocean,

it’s too far away to reach.

So I’ll just close my eyes and dream

here on the soft sandy beach.