saft, sleepy cooin’ frae above
the clock – set
at first light
afore ah wiz up
low voices so the wean didnae hear
- grand day -
- ah hear there’s rain ower the Campsies -
- this wind’ll blaw them back -
- first time this year ah’ve been oot in mah sleeves an’ galluses -
- aye another cup’d be grand, thanks Helen -
straps o’ sun on the claithespoles
- mind mah maw complainin’ boot her washin’
thae bluidy birds! wi’ her wee fist shakin’ -
- aye Bobby keeps a guid loft -
- ken he payeed twenty smackeroonies fir his lead bird -
- naw! -
- aye that sun’s warm eh -
dad’s snorin’ in his deckchair
- Tam, yir tea’ll gang cauld -
bees buzzin’ on Louie’s roses
sun creepin’ ower the greens
- ah hear Archie McCrindle pits oot his wife’s bakin’ fir tae get them in -
- that wid mak them turn aroon’ an’ gang awa! -
- a’ ye need’s a good lassie doo – they’ll come hame fir that -
- want tae hold her? mind now, hold her wings like this -
heather ‘n slate ‘n moss glintin’ in the sun
an’ her hairt beatin’ hard against ma haund
bright ee regards me – you’re no’ the wan
- aye, see her lookin’? she kens he’s close -
- nearly five – no long noo -
- whit’s that? ower there -
- I cannae see – whaur?
gees the clock – gees the clock quick
it’s him – ahm shair it’s him
c’moan my wee lad, c’moan -
droppin’ oot the sky
feathers flurryin’
landin’ feet perfect
only the mesh separatin’ him
frae his beloved noo
- aye just a meenit, laddie
let’s git this ring aff first
then she’s a’ yours -
ding!
- aye that’s it -
- by bit that’s a good time -
- aye no bad -
- first one hame again then Bobby -
- aye
❦ To listen to me reading this poem, click the audio player below. ❦
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
No comments yet.