has been published twice by Amethyst Review March 2023, and March 2025. The Catholic Poetry Room published it in May 2025. It will be included in the Eco Congregation Scotland website for A Season of Creation in September 2025. See the video below.
St Cuthbert’s Procession
“He was invited by my master Sibba … who lived near the river called the Tweed,
and came to his village with a company of people piously singing psalms and
hymns.’” – Anon. Life of St Cuthbert
Sing praise
wholehearted words
to the bright blessed graceful
salmon that is as wise as Himself
the salmon at the well of mercy
We meet on the joyful path. Created
word-wise, we delight to praise Him
in our own tongue, oft with joy-craft.*
Bless our swine, kine*, sheep
may they rest
grass-sated in leaf-shade of rowan.
Blithe
No boundary steppers* we,
mindful of our covenant with the Rune Man*
we bless you otter, gliding, mud wrestling,
wild goats skipping on the hills
Be healthy Walker-weaver*,
Be healthy Leaf-worm*
As day’s eye* petals bloom, open to the peace candle*
we offer Sib-love, truth love of friends and un-friends alike
Let all unfriended people come, we will share.
Heart love, bee bread, meat.
Old English words: joy-craft = music; kine = cattle; boundary stepper = from Beowulf, applied to those who transgress; the Rune Man = one who can decipher mysteries, here in capital letters applied to God; walker-weaver = spider; leaf-worm = caterpillar; day’s eye = daisy; peace candle = sun; bee bread = honeycomb; meat – any food.
Noah's Arcs 