tree

 

Muin (vine/ bramble)


Muin (vine or bramble)
mar dhaorach shlat
le’m braon dubh dhearc
tha choille ìseal seo
na breacan stròigh

na raip air gnùis
an iongnaidh òig,
de shùgh cho sileach ri
eas mear nach traogh

ged nach b’ann còir
do bheannachd sguilb,
mar làmhan fuar an uilc,
tha fial na d’ luchd

phreas nan tàladh
mar ròsan dubh,
crios do bhrìd nan dàn
air latha cur
in drunken canes,
black berry fogged,
this low-level forest’s
a prodigal plaid

smear on the face
of youthful wonder,
juice as fluid as
unquenchable bright streams

though your welcoming thorns,
(cold hands that hurt)
may not be kind,
your freight is profuse

enticing bush,
your black roses,
goddess bride’s girdle
on the day of sowing
poem by aonghas macneacail • picture by simon fraser
muin