Northwords Now

New writing, fresh from Scotland and the wider North
Sgrìobhadh ùr à Alba agus an Àird a Tuath

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Claonaig Ferry

by Chris Powici

Oh I feel that you are near me, Oh I wish it to be
The Unthanks

I lean against the wet steel of the guardrail
listen to the engine’s soft, oily breath
and creak of tarpaulin from the car deck

a gannet glides through drifts of summer rain
a cormorant stands for a second
on a green wave
and shakes the sea from its wings

halfway to Claonaig
we’re all of us getting by
on weather and oil and light

guillemot bob on the swell

just below the surface
moon jellies billow and sway


Five Poems by Chris Powici...

...with translations by five other poets

Claonaig FerryPoem by Chris Powici
Coastal TownPoem by Chris Powici
DrystonePoem by Chris Powici
FallsPoem by Chris Powici
The Quick RainPoem by Chris Powici

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