26/04/20 In a bold splash of spring, the gorse yellows out the grass. Hope on the hill.

15/04/20 Did you notice the clouds today, lenticular, stretching across the rainless sky? Did you notice the fresh green fennel feathers shimmering by the back door? Did you notice the dandelion suns, mouths open to the new day? Did you notice the tumbling redcurrant flowers, between the James’ Grieve and the yellow rose? Did you […]

Portobello Beach 22/04/20 In a pandemic head for the sea, where the waves still gently stroke the shore, as they did before the sands shifted and our feet floundered See the footprints in the sand – bare foot, booted foot, paw of dog and the arrow print of bird, pointing to Fife We walk alone […]

The Field, Duddingston, Community Orchard) 27/03/20 @ 6.16 – 6.39pm Robi-i-i-n, robi-i-i-n, wre-e-e-n, robi-i-i-n B l-a-c-k-b-i-r-d,  b-l-a-c-k-b-i-r-d B—a—c—k—b—i-r-d Robi-i-i-i-i-i-in, robi-i-i-i-i-i-in, wre-e-e-en PHEASANT! Crow —-crow ————-crow Gull, Gull Robiiiiiiiiiiiin, b-l-aa-c-k-b-i-i-r-d Wrenenenenen, Crow! ———–crow crow—————– PHEASANT! PHEASANT! Wo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-od pige-o-o-o-o-o-on, Wo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-od pige-o-o-o-o-o-on, Magpie, magpiiie! Magpie, maagpi-i-i-e, magpiiie! Robi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-in Bla-a-a-aackb-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ird Crow!———————-crow! Wo-o-o-o-o-o-od pigeon, wo-o-o-o-o-o-od pigeon, Blackbird, blackbird, blackbird, blackbird, […]

Linings in a lockdown 1 For the chimney pot pigeon cooing into my morning meditation, For the plump, moist worm segmenting blindly through the salad bed, For the frilly skirts of kale that keep us fed through this hungry gap, For the endless online chat, For drizzle and haze and silver droplets on the rose, […]