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  • power and control
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power and control

Pruning - by Jim C. Wilson

{ Poem }

I dock the dead, the damaged and diseased;
/ the gnarled and dry come tumbling from the heights
/ until I stand knee-deep…

That’s Life - by Alan Bold

{ Poem }

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 Alan Bold

{ Poem }

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 Alan Jackson

{ Poem }

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 Lesley Glaister

{ Poem }

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 Gordon Jarvie

{ Poem }

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 Gerda Stevenson

{ Poem }

Tak ma croon, an dinna fash – / aa yon wis ower fur me lang syne.

from ‘a better tale to tell’ - by Alec Finlay

{ Poem }

politicians must become / better messengers / with a better tale / to tell…

Gavia Stellata - by Alexander Hutchison

{ Poem }

Who calls to the dark, / who calls to the wind on / the surface of the water?…

Snowdrops - by J. B. Pick

{ Poem }

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 Hamish Henderson

{ Poem }

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 Liz Lochhead

{ Poem }

How does she feel? Hey, girl, did it feel strange / To be waiting for the a-changing times to change?…

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Scottish Poetry Library
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Tel: +44 (0)131 557 2876
© Scottish Poetry Library 2021.
The Scottish Poetry Library is a registered charity (No. SCO23311).
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By leaves we live

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