Pruning - by
I dock the dead, the damaged and diseased;
/ the gnarled and dry come tumbling from the heights
/ until I stand knee-deep…
power and control
That’s Life - by
Far from the scent of the crocus
/ And the pavanne of Scottish daffodils
/ A loud crash was heard in Princes Street.
/ Safe from…
Cause and Effect - by
He thought before the war
/ Of conflicts, heroism, enemies
/ Who had to be crushed;
/ Causes that had to be fought for.
/
/ He had no…
The Swine - by
The swine hangs on,
/ The swine hangs on to power,
/ The townsfolk mutter round the tower:
/
/ ‘Roast him, toast him,
/ Thin…
Visiting the Animal - by
I press my face against the glass
/ and there he is:
/ the recognition is complete
/ my way at least. The padded
/ luxury of his…
Curtain - by
Remembering an Edinburgh neighbour
/
/
/ Descending her garden path
/ she turns, backtracks indoors
/ again, and into the front room
/ to straighten a…
The Abdication of Mary Queen of Scots - by
Tak ma croon, an dinna fash – / aa yon wis ower fur me lang syne.
from ‘a better tale to tell’ - by
politicians must become / better messengers / with a better tale / to tell…
Gavia Stellata - by
Who calls to the dark, / who calls to the wind on / the surface of the water?…
Snowdrops - by
Snowdrops are not innocent:
/ They fight for what they win.
/ Beauty’s what comes out:
/ Blind energy goes in.
/
/ …
The Flyting o’ Life and Daith - by
Quo life, the warld is mine.
/ The floo’ers and trees, they’re a’ my ain.
/ I am the day, and the sunshine
/ Quo life,…
Photograph, Art Student, Female, Working Class - by
How does she feel? Hey, girl, did it feel strange / To be waiting for the a-changing times to change?…