Hugh McMillan
While Ian Dunbar sleeps
While Ian Dunbar sleeps,
men with boots trace arabesques
on porridge coloured skies.
The Nith is paralysed
and the moon decides to shine again
on lawns, on little children
disappeared.
While Ian Dunbar sleeps,
taxis purr through sleeves of street,
the night has an eggshell innocence,
smooth like baldness
and the clock strains against the weight
of our sweet
fears.
While Ian Dunbar sleeps,
in the little time
it takes for candlelight to pass,
or to sip a glass
from the River Lethe,
there is no need of death,
or tears.
men with boots trace arabesques
on porridge coloured skies.
The Nith is paralysed
and the moon decides to shine again
on lawns, on little children
disappeared.
While Ian Dunbar sleeps,
taxis purr through sleeves of street,
the night has an eggshell innocence,
smooth like baldness
and the clock strains against the weight
of our sweet
fears.
While Ian Dunbar sleeps,
in the little time
it takes for candlelight to pass,
or to sip a glass
from the River Lethe,
there is no need of death,
or tears.
Page(s) 31
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