treen merkit wi an X  -
neist year
nae freenly shed




trees marked with an X  -
next year
no friendly shade

craw risps
an edge tae the mornin  -
the jakie glowers




crow rasps
an edge to the morning  -
the wino glares

drauchts
throuch the auld hoose  -
ghaists appenin doors  




drafts
through the old house  -
ghosts opening doors

a reid tash spreidin  -
his drapt jaur
o ladylanders




a red stain spreading  -
his dropped jar
of ladybirds

they pynt tae a stern:
her deid dug  -
whilk stern wull they pick fir me?




they point to a star:
her dead dog  -
which star will they choose for me?

auld tarry-breeks
in's shooglin cherr
myndin the ocean




old sailor
in his rocking chair
remembering the ocean

days o weet  -
snail-pooer
on the muive




days of rain  -
snail-power
on the move

youthie craw
greitin fir mait  -
reid o's craig




young crow
crying for food  -
red of his throat

hauflins
pluffin thayr e-fags
...here be draigons!




youths
puffing their e-cigarettes
...here be dragons!

jyner's fooneral  -
a life cleedin timmer
the day timmer cleeds him




joiner's funeral  -
a life dressing timber
today timber dresses him

nebbin a stieve souch
they aye heeld forrit
...weir memorial




facing a stiff breeze
they still lean forward
...war memorial

in french perks
thrissels growe
...seeds frae hame




in french fields
thistles grow
...seeds from home

(THE SOMME 100 YEARS ON)