Two love poems in Scots, by Hugh MacDiarmid, one to the earth itself, the other to his human love. Both show him at his lyrical and un-polemical best.
MILK-WORT AND BOG-COTTON
Cwa’een like milk-wort and bog-cotton hair!
I love you, earth, in this mood best o’ a’
When the shy spirit like a laich wind moves
And frae the lift nae shadow can fa’
Sine there’s nocht left to thraw a shadow there
Owre een like milk-wort and milk-white cotton hair.
~
Wad that nae leaf upon anither wheeled
A shadow either and nae root need dern
In sacrifice to let sic beauty be!
But deep surroondin’ darkness I discern
Is aye the price o’ licht. Wad licht revealed
Naething but you, and nicht nocht else concealed.
WHEESHT, WHEESHT
Wheesht, wheesht, my foolish hert,
For weel ye ken
I widna ha’e ye stert
Auld ploys again.
~
It’s guid to see her lie
Sae snod an’ cool,
A’ lust o’ lovin’ by –
Wheesht, wheesht, ye fule!
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