ootby the zendo
on fluffert watter
the caum souch o swans




outside the zendo
on ruffled water
the peace of swans

incaains fir a caum souch  -
sheddae o a maw
muives athort us




prayers for peace  -
shadow of a gull
moves across us

efter'r bath
stick-chiels
gove throuch the winnock




after her bath
stick-men
gaze through the window

maggie haein dafferie
surfin
gowsts o wund




magpie having fun
surfing
gusts of wind

ootby the zendo
a bummer
thrang i the rose's heid




outside the zendo
a bee
busy in the rose's head

sneddin fruit busses  -
news wins in
o a cancer growein




pruning fruit bushes  -
news arrives
of a cancer growing

bleckies stushie -
yalla nebs
blent i the sin




blackbirds squabble  -
yellow beaks
flash In the sun

lowsin the bummer  -
feelin  the draucht
o's scowth




freeing the bee  -
feeling the draught
of his freedom

hauf-wye up the tree
bawdrons jalouses
he's ower auld




half-way up the tree
cat realises
he's too old

deid doo:
i the hert's howe
derk bluid reflectin a warl




dead pigeon:
in the heart's cavity
dark blood reflecting a world

a bairn's teeth merks
i the fause fruit
...firbidden fruit




a child's teeth marks
in the ornamental fruit
...forbidden fruit

bangster maggie  -
jealous
o bleckie's sang




bully magpie  -
jealous
of blackbird's song

the baw liggs atween thaim
dug'n maister  -
auld'n jaupit




the ball lies between them
dog and master  -
old and weary

steekin
the gairden yett a
hinmaist bummer wins awa




closing
the garden gate
a last bee leaves