St Ninian's Cave

ST. NINIAN'S CAVE

Past giant rhubarb and bluebell banks
the path stepstones the stream

Marsh marigolds grow
beneath tall, fungi-clad trees

Beyond the pebble-strewn beach
the cave penetrates the cliff

From ledges of sea-thrift
water drips over the entrance

Up the multi-creviced rock
a spider climbs

My son lifts a placed pebble
to find a shiny tiny five-pence piece

The dog sniffs seaweed entangled
in the flotsam of a consumer age

St. Ninian does not hide here now

Over in Whithorn they exhume his age
and parade it for the paying public.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Stranraer, 7th May 1991

Publications

1992 The People's Poetry (UK)
1992 Aireings (UK)
1998 Poetry Scotland (UK)
1999 WAITING FOR YOU TO SPEAK (Pittsburgh, UnMon America)