Arthur's Seat

by Rob A Mackenzie

A thousand candles of gorse
fizzed from volcanic roots
like a church floodlit
by vanity, or the buzz
of taxis vying for
dominance at the crossroads.

The city below took the brightness
as a taunt,
shrouded the stars
in neon. The gorse spat
flames like empty prayers
for stonechat and yellowhammer.

Note: “thousand candles of gorse” is from
George Mackay Brown’s poem, ‘The Storm’.