Yird-Boond

by Shane Strachan

‘Although they did not create the first lawnmower, Alexander Shanks of Arbroath soon developed mowers that became leaders in the field. With their first patent registered in 1842, Shanks pre-eminence in the lawn-mower business came out of the skills developed in engineering for the textile industry of Arbroath.’ – Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath

This poyem wis gan tae be
yet anither poyem aboot a flee –
trapt in the New Scriptorium
on the groonds o Arbroath Abbey,
duntin aff the windaepane
ower an ower an ower again
afore it clammert up the glaiss
afront the ruin’s reid sandsteen
taewards the cloody hivvens, syne
stapped bi widden frame abeen.

Bit oot cam this gryte laan mooer
tae wheech awa ma een an lugs
wi the thrum o its furlin blades
chawin throu strips o sun-kisst girse
beheidin fite soukie-soos
swallaein ilka claver puff richt
up intae its bogie mou.

I doot the monks bathert tae cut
the girse wi scythes or shears or sheep
an insteid they jist daundert throu
a heich meedow o wildflooers –
baldie bairns in a sweetie shoppie,
sumplin God’s apothecarie
howpin tae remeid the ills an pynes
that cam wi thir yird-boond husks
clammerin athort this warld for a
hivven ayont aishes an dust.