Here where the bog is rust and
purple and lemon, here
where the seasons paint wood and
meadow and briar,
and wisdom is hidden
in wrinkles and teasing, here
amongst the mountains and hills
I am frozen
by the terror of caring, here
where I return
to beg in rebellion
to listen once again
for the chirp of the schoolyard
in the silence left behind
Glenisland © 2026 Fergus Deffely
