In defence of the Crane Fly
The adult is known as Whopper, Gollywhomper or Daddy Longlegs. It is a weak insect, a poor flyer (easily snatched from the air). It is drawn to light, rests with wings outspread. The slender abdomen has no scales or sting (is soft and defenceless). It has small antenna, and gyroscopic flight controls behind each wing. The six long legs are thin, (can be pulled off one by one). Its purpose is to find a mate, to procreate, then die. They have no mouth with which to bite (or scream). (Northwords Now, 2014) Other poems published include: 'Shadowing the thin place' Poetry Scotland 'Dope test' Tour de Vers, an anthologie of poems for the Tour de France. |
The song of loss
He tosses back his antlered head, the whites of his eyes like gibbous moons. He summons a sound from the depths of peat. It rises through layers of acid dark, past bones and stumps. Strata, padded by wolves, and snouted by wild boar. Earth that felt the tense crouch of the lynx, the scratch of the bear, and was hoofed by woodland deer. He tosses back his antlered head and breath unfurls like fern, like mist as the valley fills with the song of loss. (Poetry Scotland, 2014) Because it is written on parchment rough as snake, in ink black as sin, about love sweet as fruit, ripe for deceit, and spans the unfathomable with promises, bright as light or hot as flame, we are told to believe it literally. (Acumen, 2014) |