To a Louse - by
Ahoy there, prince of parasites!
/ At risk of giving you a fright,
/ you have been, estimable mite,
/ immortalised,
/ and scaled to literary heights.
/ Are you…
insects
Beasties - by
Clock-leddy, clock-leddy
/ Flee awa’ hame,
/ Your lum’s in a lowe,
/ Your bairns in…
To a Louse, On Seeing one on a Lady’s Bonnet at Church - by
Ha! whare ye gaun, ye crowlan ferlie!
/ Your impudence protects you sairly:
/ I canna say but ye strunt rarely,
/ Owre gawze and lace;
/ Tho’…
Hawthorn Queen - by
It was one of those last swarms,
/ a blood-red immolation of ladybirds
/ so thick
/ the air appeared pixellated.
/
/ Traffic stopped.
/
/ My mother grasped my hand,…