he greits fir geegaws  -
in damascus
bairns daff wi stanes




he cries for toys  -
in damascus
children play with stones

in a quate puil
unnerwatter
craws




in a still pool
underwater
crows

hunkerin on the ledging
wi the maws
...govein




sitting on the parapet
with the gulls
...gazing

yin day thay'll threep:
he maun be deid  -
ma dug-daunerin feres




one day they will say:
he must be dead  -
my dog-walking friends

twa swans preein  -
it's valentine's day
fir thaim an aw




two swans necking  -
it's valentine's day
for them also

granfaither's
hingower dander
...gled it's blowstery




grandfather's
hangover walk
...glad its windy

nicht vaig  -
reengin wavebaunds
...stern threep




night journey  -
searching wavebands
...star talk

Italian waashday  -
heich i the vennel
flags o'r breeks




Italian washday  -
high in the alley
flags of her underwear