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Drag chains

Drag chains for BAE ship

Joan Lennon writes about these huge chains, which can be found in the Scotland: A Changing Nation gallery on Level 6.

Sea-Change: The Cry of the Drag Chain

you’re so eager to be gone
     fly
          open-armed
down the slipway to the careless sea
suffer your sea-change joyously
     go
          where I can’t follow
you don’t know
what I see 
     there
beyond the smooth, safe harbour
the rich-and-strange that calls to you
I dread its fade, its knell
hear me over the cheering
don’t go …
     don’t go …
          don’t go …

About the author

Joan Lennon

Joan Lennon is a children's writer and poet. She was born in Canada and came to Scotland in 1978. She lives in the Kingdom of Fife, which is said to be shaped like a dog's head. If this is true, her flat is on the tip of the ear, which explains a lot. She has had over a dozen books published and visits many schools, libraries and festivals every year.

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What are these links?

Drag chains for BAE ship

On display

  • Scotland: A Changing Nation

Creation story

  • BAE drag chains

About the author

  • Joan Lennon's website
  • Meet Joan Lennon at a 26 Treasures event

 

 

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130