It might not be such a bad idea if a law library promotes literacy. Let’s celebrate the National Poetry Day together with the following poem:
Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978)
The Watergaw
One wet, early evening in the sheep-shearing season
I saw that occasional, rare thing–
A broken shaft of a rainbow with its trembling light
Beyond the downpour of the rain
And I thought of the last, wild look you gave
Before you died.
The skylark’s nest was dark and desolate,
My heart was too
But I have thought of that foolish light
Ever since then
And I think that perhaps at last I know
What your look meant then.
Read the poem in the original Scots version
The Watergaw
Ae weet forenicht i’ the yow-trummle
I saw yon antrin thing,
A watergaw wi’ its chitterin’ licht
Ayont the on-ding;
An’ I thocht o’ the last wild look ye gied
Afore ye deed!
There was nae reek i’ the laverock’s hoose
That nicht–an’ nane i’ mine;
But I hae thocht o’ that foolish licht
Ever sin’ syne;
An’ I think that mebbe at last I ken
What your look meant then.
Taylor Library Team
lawlib@abdn.ac.uk
