Curglaff

by HARRY CLOUGH

A wen lukkin fae lempits 
an cockles
doon fae the but an ben
a sieven i the morn, alane, agen,
dungarees rowed up an
fit planted furmly as a cud
o ma shaidae,
hopin i wid gimme mair grip
than thi badderlocks aboot.

A wen lukkin fae lempits 
an cockles on ma ain,
on rocks an in pools 
an now a stan lik a heron
tryna keep ma balance
asa tide sweeps aroun
(did a misjudge the sea?)
rocks covered in wrack an 
crab sheels, emptie an
swirlin in dirti watter.

Last tim a wen lookin
fae lempits a haed ye
tae haud if a slippt,
a soft haund an a 
soft lach, tae tell 
me wat an eejit a wis
an tae pull me back
fae the jeelit watter.

Nae mae, the kirkyard
disnae let ye go sae easly 
an the haund on ma shouder
is maerly a blaw fae the sea
o isi a tern thinkin ama statue,
still, alane, 
agen.

—

curglaff: n. the shock of falling into cold water
but an ben: n. a cottage
shaidae: n. a shadow
badderlocks: n. a type of seaweed
wrack: n. seaweed
jeelit: adj. freezing
blaw: n. a gust or blast of wind