Ullapool

You know you’re in Ullapool
when the little town is a sea town,
lorries roll from the docks,
a gaggle of girls buy ice-cream,
the dogs hang round gossiping
the road goes nowhere
and two old people hold hands.

You know you’re in Ullapool
when the little town is a proud town,
the steamer sails for Stornoway,
the shops are stowed with locals
all saying it is “quiet”,
and a wifie on the sea-front
locks herself out of her car.

You know it is Ullapool
when everyone knows the poets,
when Inverness isn’t mentioned,
when you can’t find a policeman
but you couldn’t possibly need one.
It is Ullapool
when you are as glad as this
you have been there today.