IN a week in which birds have loomed large, the last words (or caws) are given to Helen B Cruickshank's sociable rabble.
Is there a transatlantic whiff about their deliberations? Cruickshank's Collected Poems were published by Reprographia in 1971.
CAWS AND CAUCUSES
I
In elm-trees nou the craws are thrang
Wi' gab and bicker up abune,
But eident to their darg they gang
In elm-trees. Nou the craws are thrang
And fine I thole their raucous sang
For timely aa their biggin's dune
In elm-trees nou. The craws are thrang
Wi'gab and bicker up abune.
II
In congresses the chosen gang
Wi gab and bicker never dune.
Hech! Sic a sair aff-pittin' thrang
In congresses! The chosen gang
Will ne'er agree to psalm or sang,
Or whilk precentor caas the tune
In congresses. The chosen gang
Wi' gab and bicker never dune.
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