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  • Poem for Today
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Poem for Today

Kathleen Jamie

Bird on a barbed wire
Bird at the top of the world,
who knew 
it would come to this?
What are you 
singing? What are you 
singing for?
Perhaps you just can’t 
help yourself. Over
the entire hemisphere
your flute-phrases fall,
announcing spring again
- our northern spring, 
stirring deep and dark 
within bare forests,
advancing across plains
toward great cities
with their tatty city parks,
their plane-trees
shading street cafes.
Even the seas 
present no obstacle, 
no border, because 
you’re welcome, bird, 
singing at the top of the world. 

Kathleen Jamie

About this poem

This poem was written in Kathleen Jamie’s official role as Scotland’s Makar (February, 2022)

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Kathleen Jamie sitting in front of large plant

Kathleen Jamieb.1962

Kathleen Jamie is a poet, essayist and travel writer. In August 2021, Jamie was appointed Scotland's Makar (national poet).
More about Kathleen Jamie

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