Vidlin, Shetland 21.10.1914

Nor heaven nor earth has been at peace tonight.
War’s trenches barely cut, still lines on maps.
But life goes on: a little girl is born.

Birth’s struggle done, the midwife sets off home
down Neegirt’s fields, with lit peat held for light.
And in the firmament, a comet’s flight records
the moment, outstrips a harvest moon that rides
the sky. The heavens themselves blaze forth nativity,
wrap a blessing round a little one whose first breath
reincarnates the dust of galaxies, obscures,
reveals: links death with life and love and power.

reference to excerpts from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2

Vidlin, Shetland 21.10.1914

Nor haeven nor aert is bön at paece da nicht.
War’s runnicks* barely cut, still lines on maps.
But life gengs on: a ting o lass is boarn.

Birth’s bassel owre, da howdie maks fur hom
doon da toons o Neegirt, wi tengs o fire fur licht.
An i da firmament, a comet’s flicht records
da moment, ootstrips a hairst mön is shö rides
da sky. Da haevens demsels blaze furt nativity,
hap a blissin on a peerie ting whase first braeth
reincarnates da stoor o galaxies, obscures,
reveals: links daeth wi life an love an po’er.

reference ta excerpts fae Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2

*byre drains