Poet's Note: I have the greatest respect for William Shakespeare as a playwright and poet but his "history plays" are docudramas, not documentaries, less accurate than Fox News. The real Macbeth ruled from 1040 to 1057, and was secure enough on his throne to go on pilgrimage to Rome, "where he gave money to the poor as if it were seed" and return to find his crown still securely on his royal head. By modern standards, his kinsman Duncan had a better claim to the throne. By contemporary standards, both Macbeth and his wife Gruoch had valid claims to the throne, which by the standards of the time, gave Duncan a good reason to try to kill them, and them a good reason to (as Malcolm Reynolds would put it) kill him right back. Macbeth was killed by Malcolm III (son of Duncan, husband of St. Margaret) and succeeded by his stepson/cousin, Lulach. Malcolm succeeded Lulach a few months later. This poem can be sung to the tune of Bill Sutton's "Caretaker" (aka the dryad song), if you don't mind the fact there is no chorus.

Macbeth and Gruoch

by Susan M. M.

WINNER OF THE 2014 ARKANSAS SCOTTISH FESTIVAL POETRY CONTEST

Macbeth, he loved fair Gruoch,
His kinswoman, his wife,
Protected her from Duncan foul
Who tried to take her life.

He was neither thief nor traitor.
The throne 'twas his by right:
A mormaer born of royal blood,
A braw and a valiant knight.

Off they rode on pilgrimage
To the far off town of Rome.
Scotland waited and welcomed them
When they returned safe home.

Seventeen years upon the throne
With Gruoch at his side.
Together they ruled Scotland well.
The English Bard, he lied.