IN PERPETUITY
1. THE FLIGHT PATH
Gules an Eagle displayed Or beaked and membered
Azure
in each claw a Sword erect proper pommel and
hilt Or
on a Chief Ermine two pierced Cinquefoils Gules
in later life
pa’s consuming interests
were genealogy and heraldry
‘i intend to put this family
on the map’
said pa
‘in perpetuity’
‘the name is scottish’ pa remarked
‘originating from dundee’
‘look at your nose, pa’ i replied
‘we’re scandinavians –
iron is their word for eagle’
pa was as good as his word
his coat of arms not lightly won
was fought for with persistence
‘we need a motto’ added pa
semper pugnare paratus i replied
‘always prepared to fight’
2. THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION
Crest: On a wreath of the colours
in front of two Thistle Leaves in saltire
proper
a Cross Moline Azure fimbriated Or
the iron bearing
in the middle of a mill-stone
bears it up and guides its motion:
a mill-iron, or cross moline
‘good thing the thistle’s
their national emblem
since you’re so prickly, pa’
i said
semper pugnare paratus
‘one day you’ll be glad of this’
said pa
my cross-moline
my eagle
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