Poem: Walking St Cuthbert's Way

Walkers' Britain & Europe traveller Martin Strasmore, known to many readers as “The Walking Poet,” set out to walk St Cuthbert's Way, following the ancient pilgrim route from Melrose to Holy Island. A poet and photographer with over a decade of long-distance trails behind him, Martin turned his first day on the path into verse. Here is his account, in his own words. 

> Click here to read part 2 of this poem.

Following St Cuthbert's Way

Maybe Saint Cuthbert started walking this way
Leaving Melrose Abbey through the town center
drizzling Scottish rain to start the day
finding the subtle sign between cottages
Leading up into the Eildon hills
steady uphill, deep breathing,
reaching the saddle between the highest hills
dipping down into the woods.

Being a Pilgrim on the path
Opens my heart, eyes and ears
to God’s creation
Life is simple
Each step carries me forward
leaving behind what came before
taking me to experience
the pure freedom of being,
being present now.

First steps along the River Tweed
On the footbridge an angler,
enjoying the sparkling water,
the babbling sounds,
he does not disturb
the Scottish salmon
swimming somewhere below us

Up a winding road
the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey
I can feel the faith, the prayers
The discipline of silence and study
the community of canons (monks) followed
in the magnificent cloisters, the gardens
The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary
Filled with the power of prayer.

Back again on the “way”,
alongside the golf course
Now along the River Tweed
the sweet smell of honeysuckle
then edging farmers fields,
for what seems like hours.
The path is overgrown,
I’m not sure this is it.

The sound of thunder
The falling rain
signal that my first day
needs to be cut short.
I take a ride to Jedburgh
for my night’s rest.

About the Author

Martin Strasmore writes and photographs long-distance trails under the name The Walking Poet, drawing on more than a decade of walks around the world, from Kilimanjaro and the Camino de Santiago to the Coast to Coast Walk, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the Israel National Trail and the Tour du Mont Blanc. Many of these journeys are collected into his self-published books of poetry and photography, with profits supporting the charitable foundation PRASAD. Martin also co-hosts a poetry podcast, Poetry For Now, with his wife Kassandra. You can find more of his poems and photography at thewalkingpoet.net.

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