Hi everyone,

Since yesterday was the 11th anniversary of 9/11 I thought that this little poem I wrote in 2002 after one of my visits to Newfoundland and my good friends Joe and Loretta O'Toole was quite apropos.

There's a rugged piece of heaven
Nestled on the Eastern shore
Of Canada, this great domain
Could anyone want for more

It has been referred to as the Rock
And also as down home
It is loved by each Newfoundlander
No matter where they roam

Although I am not a native
I'm the next best thing I bet
Being a Scot and talking funny
Is as close as you can get

This is my third time to visit
And I am sure it is not my last
Each visit seems much better
Much better than the past

Although it's shores are rugged
And the weather's hard to bear
It's just what God had planned for
Why he set these people there

An island is just a lot of rock
Of water, trees and sand
It's the people living in that place
That make it simply grand

For that's the legend of this land
It is not just scenic beauty
It's honest people, strong and brave
Who know of God and duty

They'll give the shirt right off their back
As they have done before
September 11 two thousand and one
Will be remembered evermore

Strangers, they were taken in,
Were pampered, housed and fed
So every stranded traveller
Was safe and had a bed

In Newfoundland I've lots of friends
And I love their colloquial chatter
It seems their only lot in life
Is to see that others matter

I've had a lot of compliments
But I'll tell you, here's the truth
It really makes me feel so proud
To be mistaken for a "Newf"

If there's a life hereafter
Auld Scotia's the place for me
If not, set me in Newfoundland
That heaven in the sea

Note: Good to my word I have been to Newfoundland every year since 2000.   Submitted By: NULL