Across Stromness harbour
Reading the Month of May
From George Mackay Brown’s
Calendar of Love
Watching the collection of seabirds
Move hither and thither
Splash, paddle - back and forth
Wash, preen - all around
At one with the seagulls
At one with the squawking
Most of all, best of all
At one with the sunshine, with the settled sea
Listen, listen closely
Listen to the voice
Reciting a poem to the ocean
Practiced, to quell the impending storm
