Friday, June 4, 2021

 [This was in the latest edition of Scottish PEN's online magazine: PENning 'Renewals'.]

Hert-Kinnlin
 
She'd hud the wean                                                              had, child
an she pit a photie o him new born
on the social media
fur aa tae admire –                                                                all
an aabody was commentin like                                          everybody
He's gorgeous!
 
But here's me in the back-en o ma life                               autumn
an weans clene oot o ma mind
didnae see ocht in him then                                                anything
but a pink blob like caunle wax –                                       candle
naethin much in yon wee thing avaa.                                at all
 
Six month later
an he’s on ma shouder                                                         shoulder
makin vroom-vroom souns at caurs as they pass,           cars
nine month later
an he's croodlin, singin,
a year later
an he's sprauchlin wi airms ootstrecht for a hug.          moving unsteadily
 
An A wis wrang. Yon wisnae caunle wax                       wrong
but leevin mairble
an the muckle sculptor o the universe                             mighty
hud a haun in him frae the stert                                        hand
or even afore,
cairvin oot a human craitur                                            carving, creature
utterly himsel                                                                    himself
an hert-kinnlin gorgeous richt eneuch.                         heart-kindling, enough


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