Celandine By Stella Sutherland

Celandine - Stella Sutherland. A poignant, vivid picture of a young woman.

Read By Stella Sutherland

Celandine Whin folk wid plöt an greet 
at life wis dön dem wrang,
shö sang at life wis sweet.
I mind her laek dastreen:
her yallow hair at swang,
an light as a peerie maa,
her mirlin feet at whirled da night awa.

Her tartan, green an red,
swang, while da fiddles sang
an baet athin her heid
an lighted up her een,
among da kallishang
millin laek simmer caa
while skirl an leid birled da night awa

wi shudd an dadd an dunn,
circle an chain an reel,
wi dis ane an wi yon.
I mind her laek dastreen,
fu shö wid link an sweel,
circle an cross an raa,
while hale an weel hurried da night awa.

Wha wis ta ken dat night
wid laeve sic a bitter mark –
pit da dancin aff, an her light,
an da sight fae her een,
an pit her furt ida dark?
Wha could a telled her?   Wha?
While haet an sweet kerried her night awa?

Shö hedna time ta be aald;
his guid name an his hame
wisna for her, bit da caald
under frost, under green;
da flame first, dan da shame
an da burstin o gaa
while swaet an greet swittled her life awa!

Fae shö wan oot o pine
full therty year is past;
daisy an celandine
prick up da skamless green
at covers her bright dust:
bit shö staands afore my een,
an still an weel, I mind her laek dastreen!