On 4th June, The Isle of Barra came together as “one big family” to celebrate the life of 14 year-old Eilidh Macleod, the “dear, beautiful” teenager who died in the Manchester bombing terrorist attack on 22 May.
Eilidh herself was a piper with Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.
Coffin on the sands of Barra
Processed across the bay
Piped to eternity
By the winds of the Hebrides
Lost to the world
That nurtured her here
In youth still full of joy
At large on that southern stage
Whereon she was slaughtered
Bombed to death by bitterness
Unleashed unbidden on humanity
By senseless gross insanity
By gullibility beyond belief
Returned now in remembrance
A life’s peroration
Grief’s threnody
On love’s lasting hold on life
Roland's Ragbag 
I hate clicking on like. Look at the size of the coffin. So sad, Roland, so sad. And it’s happening everywhere … theirs and ours … will it never end?
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I feel just the same on such subject matter, Roger, composed out of respect and contemplation. Thank you for commenting.
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I simply say thank you.
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Thank you, Nigel.
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Bombed to death by bitterness -this just exploded in my heart Roland, yes bitterness and so much anger – I cannot understand it hurts just thinking about it. Your poem was a wonderful dedication of a beautiful life gone too soon.
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Thank you for your words, Gina … and almost too sad for a father of 3 daughters to contemplate.
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I know.
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Sad and touching, Roland. It is unfortunate these horrific events are part of lives.
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It is indeed, Eugenia. Thank you for commenting.
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A fitting and touching poem Roland.
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