To Margaret on a Monday - by
I saw you from my window, Margaret.
/ I was watching the seagulls swooping the sky.
/ The seagulls, I was telling myself, know
/ today…
birds
Still - by
Not crow, eyes calculating
/ my speed, the distance, his time
/
/ not blackbird or thrush
/ in a startled trajectory of flight
/
/ not pigeon, undecided…
When Grey Shapes Slip the Shadows - by
When grey shapes slip the shadows of the morning
/ My small birds sit in silence in the eaves
/ But daylight brings indifferent…
The Late Swallow - by
Leave, leave your well-loved nest,
/ Late swallow, and fly away.
/ Here is no rest
/ For hollowing heart and wearying wing.
/ Your comrades all have…
Da Corbie - by
Supraeme sits he,
/ His fedders prinkin,
/ Sun-bricht,
/ Ita da grit sun’s glinkin,
/
/ A lowin flame,
/ Wi black een blinkin –
/ Nor deevil ane
/ Keens what he’s…
How to Construct an Albatross - by
Begin by setting the instructions aside.
/ Instead tune the mind to flight.
/ Attach the huge, clunking wings (treat like hangar doors)
/ – do…
Gavia Stellata - by
Who calls to the dark, / who calls to the wind on / the surface of the water?…
from The Cherrie and The Slae - by
About ane bank, where birds on bewis
/ Ten thousand times their notis renewis
/ Ilk hour into the day,
/ The…
A Tray of Frozen Songbirds - by
For our last meal together / my father takes out of the freezer / a tray of frozen songbirds.
Pabail - by
Air iomall an talamh-àitich, eadar dhà sholas,
/ tha a’ churracag a’ ruith ʼs a’ stad, ʼs a’ ruith ʼs a’ stad,
/ is…
Wullie Waggletail - by
Wee wullie waggletail, what is a’ your stishie?
/ Tak a sowp o’ water and coorie on a stane:
/ Ilka tree stands dozent,…
from Life and Death (Echoes) - by
The nightingale has a lyre of gold,
/ The lark’s is a clarion-call,
/ And the blackbird plays but…