180

gathering comforts
for me from you a hoarding
against the stillness

179 bare

something hides in us
beyond reason and recall
naked animal
deaf to words blind to gesture
wild with sky alive with sun

178 curlew

curlew pours out pearls
an unbearable beauty
makes this field heaven

177 on the way back down e lomond

badger unblemished
but dead, car flung into brook
water trickling by

176 here is not home

new lamb by dead tree
all around us empty fields
you bleat we helpless
i dont understand your words
and old dog just walks
on with me and my concerns
later i return
steeled for rescue so gallant
there you lie in sun
i presumed death but you move
this time we just stare
all around us empty fields
on with my mission
the farmer lady
reeked a bemused non concern
my man is busy
killing she gestures to barns
where deer dance circles
in twilight of days moving
towards the farmers
deranged busy season her
dead eyes catch my eyes
realising betrayal
to the enemy
i hurry stumble away
to the blessing of
empty fields all around me
may you die by moon
light under ten thousand stars

175 banjo

at winters end we
end apples and moons vanish
for a sweetheart spring