You are a crisp cold day
Making me shiver from my nose to my toes
As I walk over the hill.

You are the peerie* colourful Puffin (peerie-small in Shetland dialect)
Standing in its cliff-edge burrow
Waiting for its mum to return with its dinner.

You are the purple heather
Clinging beautifully to the hill
As I run and roll down it.

You are the shiny silvery moon and the twinkling stars
Shining in the pitch black sky
Out of my bedroom window.

You are the cold wet sand
Getting washed by the
Stormy grey sea.

You are the playful snow white lambs
Jumping around in the green park
Making the most of the long midsummer.

You are the beautiful green Mirrie Dancers*   (Aurora Borealis in Shetland dialect)
Dancing across the midnight sky
Putting on a show for those below.

You are the smooth round pebbles
Getting kicked around by the sea
Waiting to be picked up and taken home by me.

You are the fierce lashing wild wind
Throwing up seawater on our windows
While we are trying to sleep.

You are an interesting rock pool
Bursting with creatures like crabs and starfish
Waiting for me to come and explore you.

You are the elegant elusive Orca
Gliding through the deep blue sea
All the way from Iceland to come and visit me.

You are unique Shetland
I can’t wait for my next adventure with you.

By Isla

Pie asked his good friend Duncan Chisholm (one of Scotland’s most well known and recognised fiddle players) to record a piece to go with this poem. Here’s what Duncan said:

“I spread out the lines a little, laid over some Shetland beach sounds and recorded a Shetland air called ‘Leaving Lerwick Harbour’…..hope it’s ok!!”

Have a listen to Isla’s poem with Duncan performing alongside her: