Noah's Arcs

This poem was pubished in Amethyst Review, March 2023. ‘Let the fields be jubilant and everything in them.’ Psalm 96:12 Lambs play ‘king of the castle’ from old mats, graduate to upturned water troughs, leap as only tups do once adult, feed with tails whirring like prayer wheels. Cuthbert watches from solitary walnut tree ….. Read more

This poem was published in Amethyst Review March 2023. Hefted to the Cheviot hillsWe nibble on grass, sweet near the rootA distant sound afears uswith swelling beat, of voices, feet.My left ear turns, hones in, a-tunes.Humans bode no good to sheep. Yet sound-joy abounds, no room for frightsun-warmth shines through new-shorn fleece.Ground aware, we feel Read more

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 Read more

expressed in the spirit of the Carmina Gaedelica BirtherMay we be midwives to your purposeas we prepare the food stations,break the ice on white filigree etched water troughs,carry pails of water across hog wallowscriss-crossed with vegetationand frost-hardened into mud like chocolate coconut ice.Our sheep dogs supervise. SaviourMay we work for you, as co-redeemers, wresting happiness Read more

Roll Call on Noah’s Arcs Each year retired ewes come with lambs at foot. Three now have lambs of their own,having frolicked with the borrowed tup. Named Oswald Sr. by way of (gratuitous) hint;his lip curled, like Elvis, as he ran through our gate. Bridget, Ita. Bridget aptly named, cream-flecked, full of grace. Ita’s face Read more