Tongue resident shares poignant poem she wrote on Queen's death to mark the first anniversary today of Her Majesty's passing
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A Sutherland resident is marking the first anniversary today of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by sharing a poem she wrote at the time.
The late monarch died at 3.10pm on Thursday September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle after 70 years on the throne.
There followed a period of national mourning as her body was taken first to Edinburgh, where ceremonies were held, and then to London for the state funeral.
King Charles has paid tribute to the Queen saying: "We recall with great affection all she meant to so many of us." He has also released a long-lost portrait of her. The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to lead public commemorations.
Tongue resident Kate Ker contacted the Northern Times to say she had written a poem inspired by her drive from Tongue to Inverness via Lairg and the Struie on September 19, the day the Queen’s cortege was taken to Westminster Abbey.
Ms Ker left home at 11am on the day of the Queen's funeral, just as the cortege arrived at Westminster Abbey.
She said: “On the day of Her Majesty’s funeral I had to drive to Inverness airport from Tongue, on my way to attend my godfather’s funeral in Kent. I watched the procession in London on TV, which was so moving, but had to tear myself away as Her Majesty arrived at the steps of
Westminster Abbey.
"As I drove alongside Ben Loyal and Loch Loyal I decided that if I couldn’t share this important event with others then I would dedicate my journey, across countryside I love so much, to her memory.
"I seemed to be the only person on the road and the route takes about an hour and a half to get to the east coast via Lairg.
"I noticed the autumnal light and the stillness and the strange atmosphere and colours against the black mountains. Then I saw a row of trees on the crest of a hill, all with their heads bowed and the thought came to me – Someone’s told the trees.
"This poem is everything I saw and felt. Halfway down the east side of the Struie (south of Ardgay) a sunbeam picked out the green trees dotted around a forest of dark pines."
“I would like to share this with others.”
Here is Ms Ker’s poem, entitled ‘Someone’s Told the Trees’:
Someone’s Told the Trees
The trees in silent vigil stand,
The clouds hang heavy overland;
This pall of mourning they withstand.
Someone’s told the trees.
They bow their heads in downward stare.
They cannot breathe this empty air;
The Queen is gone, there’s none to spare.
Someone’s told the trees.
Long finger-shadow strokes the hill
Where Royal purple heather still
Wears golden bracken Crown and frill.
Someone’s told the trees.
Sharp sunbeam pierces leaden cloud -
A herald trumpeting aloud -
Emeralds stud the wooded shroud.
Someone’s told the trees.
They lift their heads in unison,
Their sombre mood, for now, is done.
Their copper leaves blaze in the sun.
They’re swaying gently by the shore,
Whispering Truth from ancient lore;
That Light, rekindled, doth restore.
Someone’s told the trees.
