This month, Shetland-based poet Donald S. Murray reads his poetry.
Donald S. Murray comes from Ness, the most northerly part of the Isle of Lewis and Scotland’s most north-western corner, though he now lives and works at that nation’s most north-easterly edge, Shetland.
A teacher and widely published writer, his poetry and prose, journalism and verse have appeared in a large number of outlets. |
Click here to listen to Donald S Murray read "The girl who taught the fishermen to read" (mp3 format)
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The girl who taught the fisherman to read
by Donald S Murray
The girl who taught the fisherman to read
cut him loose upon a drag and swell of words
as powerful as any that lay siege
to his vessel when a dark storm swayed the world,
swirling till a rockpool was disturbed
by a corpse who shared his skills and trade, the screech and wings of gulls.
The girl who taught the fisherman to read
made him long to know these letters painted white
on boats tethered at the quayside – LK, SY, PD –
and find out what careless pleasures consonants might hide behind each careful brush-stroke. The rocking motion of the tide seemed to promise rhythms he hoped might stir his nights.
The girl who taught the fisherman to read
anticipated gratitude and kisses for her time
giving meaning to his harbour – each
chart now understood, each fish-box and warning sign –
only to find out he had slipped her net, their lives not now entwined, and a girl from LK, SY or PD has snared him on her line.
(c) Donald S Murray 2005 |
Donald S Murray reads his poem "The Girl Who Taught the Fishermen to Read" (MP3 1.3 MB)