Shaestin wir Prey

by James Sinclair

Don’t du shakk dee knave
A’ll joost bide me time
fur du’ll fade, du’ll waeken

Ower da side wi guid, settin wir erses apo da taft.
A weel practiced shiv wi da boathuek
an wir aff, slidin da aers i da waater.

Shetlan men weel wint wi da pull an pech,
baetin wir fit apo da tilfers ta keep time
as we slippit an grippit da waater time an time again,

laek feet skippin ta da fiddle player’s tune -
first ta two step, back step dan da Foula reel
makkin grund aa da time wi a swing an a lift.

Dan wir lugs could mak oot da brak o air, da spoot o wind.
Da killer, stood stock still i da focsle
slippin go his harpoon wi wan practised swing.

Da barb wis gone, coils o ropp jimpit
oot o da locker amidships. A yell “ Wir fast “.
Da skipper in wan aesy move turned a bite apo da cleat,

an sat back at da tiller, haddin ticht.
Da ropp geed a snyirk, takkin a dunt, I towt
dat da boat wid brak in twa as hit spanged bar ticht.

We med full tilt as we wir towed flat oot
skeetin oot o control across da waater. Dan wi ee roar
we aa dug wir aers i da waater, slammin on da brakes,

an though we heard not a peep
I shivered wi dat silent skirl,
minded a sail filt wi a gale o sufferin.