A VISIONARY spring fragment from the pen of William Soutar, the Perth poet, who relished nature though tragically confined to bed for many years.

He often wrote in Scots, though opts for English here. Into A Room, a volume of his Selected Poems, edited and with introduction by Carl MacDougall and Douglas Gifford, is published by Argyll at £7.99.

SUNNY SHOWER

The drops of liquid light which fall from air

And sparkling everywhere:

Blackbird and thrush, these listening poachers,

Now as they forage, crush

The fragile jewels glistening on the grass.

Hedge are made of glass;

And in the hush, a wall of crystal stone;

Which shatters with no sound

When the wind, in a rush, lays a rough hand thereon

And is over at a bound.