To Grampa

Gypsum, quartz, zeolite

Each fascinating to you.

Chipping, dusting, examining

But none so beautiful,

As the precious Ruby you found.

Together chipping and dusting away

Impurities and bringing out

The gem in each other.

You painted rivers and the ocean's swell.

Beside lush green, we panned for gold

Then hurried home for custard,

And the bounty bars in the bottom drawer.

Always a sweet tooth.

Gypsum, quartz, zeolite

Each fascinating to you.

Chipping, dusting, examining

But none so sweet,

As the taste you've left behind.

Fair Faa Ye (Satirical - Dec 2012)

Traivellin north tae me granmither's hoose

Fair faa ye and kisses fra all aroon

Yer tay in yer haun

Before the nicht lays ye doon

Winter walks oot by the shucks

Up tae me oxters in clabber

Nae spare clays, just have tae thole

And sit wie ol' Billy watching him slabber

Drinkin' whiskey and huddlin'

Roon the fire wie ye folk

But then comes mair

Ah, it sure makes me boke

Am scunnered wie this sleepy toon

A dinna feel like yin a ye

It's fair tae middlin' but surely not

The way it wis when a wis wee

Twenty-One

'A man young & old', said Yeats.

He could have been talking about you.

Your soul floats between warm nights in;

Port in hand, fire ablaze, paper and pen poised,

As concerto and sonata dance and swirl around the room;

And cold nights out between bars and clubs;

Buckfast in hand, fire ablaze in every girl's eye,

iPhone telephone book poised to receive;

This time it's you who's dancing, arms and legs in every shape.

At 21, they say you get the key to the house;

To come and go as you like, but you always did,

And got lost in neighbours' gardens.

I'd say keep searching for that key, which will open your eyes;

To life and to love.

And though you come and go, as we all do,

Just remember…

That key.