Come to test water taken from the sea
Pilgrims covered great distances like migratory birds
In a landscape of still life cut off after dark
Receding water complicated their options
A narrative of mythical gods
Undeterred like troops rallied by an enemy
They survived the crossing like crossing time
The causeway
A line
A length
A lifeline never ending
Saved from themselves figures stark and simple
Followed marker poles across the dunes
As if following directions on how to get to Heaven
Written by James Tierney
Born in Northumberland, James now lives in Italy working at the University of Milan. He still considers Northumberland his true home.
Image: Pilgrim's Way, Gail Johnson