Columba's Bay

The outlook wasn't brilliant

For the pilgrims eleven today

The sky was grey with rain clouds

And the sun shone narry a ray

But we had booked the Freya

For a sail to Columba's Bay

Captain Mark promised that the threatening rain

Would not get in our way.

So half the group got in the boat

The other half then hiked

(The initial hikers would be sailing home)

So everyone was psyched.

Off we went to Columba's Bay

By land and then by sea

Arriving simultaneously at

The most beautiful sight to see

The pilgrims back from Columba's Bay

The sun came out and blue emerged

Right above our spot

Quick scattering of our explorers showed

They liked this space a lot.

We gathered together two by two

And went down to the shore

Presenting the rock to our prayer partner

Whom we had each prayed for.

All of us threw our 'burden' rock

Into the Iona sea

And having laid our burdens down

We all felt very free.

Next we ate our picnic lunch

Up on a grassy knoll

To sit where sheep had not yet pooped

Became our lofty goal.

Sailing to Columba's Bay

Then after lunch we walked and climbed

Each person with a task

To find a new rock to symbolize

The new direction for which we asked.

We placed the rocks in the center of

The labyrinth made of stones

Then walked its path, retrieved our rock

To give our plan skin and bones.

Our final night seemed bittersweet

No one is ready to depart

But we made it special with a barbecue feast

And a sunset that stole our hearts.

And speaking of hearts stolen these days

There's been a heartthrob at the isle:

His name is Ed, and he plays guitar

And he visited tonight for a while.

Another friend also played guitar

And they with Charles Milling

Put on an impromptu show with us

That really was quite thrilling.

The time flew by with so much fun

And soon it was almost midnight

Fr. Marty made us all go to bed

(Tomorrow's wakeup at 5: what a fright!)

Walking the labyrinth at Columba's Bay