Skip to content

Scottish Poetry Library

Register/Sign in
Shopping Bag Shopping Bag
Bringing people and poems together
  • Home
  • COVID-19
    • Re-Opening FAQ
  • Poetry
    • Poems
    • Poets
    • Our National Poet
    • Podcasts
    • Best Scottish Poems
    • Poetry and Mindfulness
    • Champions 2020
    • Posters
    • Publishers
  • Library
    • Become a borrower
    • Catalogue
    • Collections
    • Ask a librarian
    • Copyright enquiries
  • Learning
    • National Poetry Day 2019
    • National Poetry Day archive
    • SQA set texts
    • Learning resources
    • New to poetry?
    • Advice for poets
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Exhibitions
    • Venue hire
    • List an event
  • Shop
    • National Poetry Day 2020
    • New Titles
    • Poetry Pamphlet Cards
    • Pocket Poets
    • Scottish Poetry
    • Help
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our people
    • Our projects
    • Jobs
    • Our building
    • FAQs
    • Find us
  • Support us
    • Become a Friend
    • Donate
    • Easy Fundraising
  • Blog
Shopping BagShopping Bag
Ask a librarian
  • Home
  • >
  • Poetry
    • >
  • Ian Hamilton Finlay
    • >
  • The Old Nobby
Donate Donate icon Ask a Librarian Ask a Librarian icon

The Old Nobby

Ian Hamilton Finlay

My hull is leaking like a sieve,
The paint is flaking off my hatches,
My heart’s not worn upon my sleeve
(But on my sails are scarlet patches.)

Ian Hamilton Finlay

from The Blue Sail (Wax366, 2002)

Reproduced by permission of the Estate of Ian Hamilton Finlay.

Tags:

ageing ships and boats short poems
Share this
Facebook
Twitter
Email

Learn more

Ian Hamilton Finlay1925 - 2006

Ian Hamilton Finlay was a short-story writer, poet, concrete poet, visual and conceptual artist, sculptor, gardener and classical moralist, now internationally recognised for his contributions to each of these spheres of culture.
More about Ian Hamilton Finlay

Online Shop

Browse our range of poetry books, cards and gifts in our online shop.
Shop now

Podcasts

Our audio programme of poets, poems and news for you to listen to.
Listen Now
  • Newsletter signup
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close, Canongate
Edinburgh EH8 8DT
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 2876
© Scottish Poetry Library 2020.
The Scottish Poetry Library is a registered charity (No. SCO23311).
City of Edinburgh logo Green Arts Initiative logo Creative Scotland logo
By leaves we live

The SPL has reopened to the public with a reduced service. We are running a 'Click & Collect' service and free postal borrowing. For further details, click COVID-19 in the menu bar above. Dismiss