A poem of love and yearning with a positive ending, with blackbirds acting as a background chorus. It comes from Edwin Morgan’s Collected Poems (Carcanet, £14.95).

BLACKBIRDS

Uncertain darkness

and a blackbird sweetness

are the best of day.

It is not to be measured

when I am lonely

staring out

at each squeal of brakes

as the buses pass

and you are not there.

The beauty strokes

the rooms I prowl through

with such pain,

at the end of day.

And I groan to no one,

crouch by the window

as two blackbirds swoop

by the darkening grass

in their gladness.

What use is my house

when the light is gone

from the hearth

and I have no shame

crying your name,

no shame praying

for your return,

and for your safety,

and even for whatever

you could wish or lack

in this world, my love,

to leave me or

to find a better.

I cannot find

a better one.

I’m in this place

till the shameless tears

on my cheeks are dry

and the night breaks up

and you are on your way

with the sun – my best of day.

1967