Saturday, August 21, 2010

Morgan in school

I wrote this ten years ago, the last time Edwin Morgan visited Dunoon Grammar School. Someone else sent the poem to him, and he replied: "I was touched by her words. I promise to 'speak for us still' as long as I am able!"
And he did.

Your words fall quieter now,
Poet, sometimes submerged in
The hornet hum that is
Technology's voice. Older, you yet
Play young men's games with
Joyous random images from
Mercury to Maryhill.
I see you a small, valiant
Bird-figure in canary yellow,
Quick light movements underpinning
Words as fluent as a song.
The circle of young faces,
Sunflowers in rapt attendance,
Bear witness to your potent
Weaving of wisdom with youth's vigour.
Speak for us still, poet, lest
The tide of dumbness sweep over our
Inarticulate longings, and we drown.

©C.M.M. 11/00

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