Bull

Muscles bulging like ripe plums
he snorts out an icy breath.
In the byre
warm scents of testosterone and dung
embrace the senses.
His strength fulfils the promise
of sun’s winter song

Angel skin and whalebone.
You pinched her in
until her waist was as narrow
as her ambitions.
Constrained her horizons
as well as her breath;
she could not run
until the last irrevocable bolt.
Who could have guessed that such soft chains
could bind so hard? She threw you off
at the same time as her husband.
Holding you up in front of the mirror
I examine the fit.

As strong as spinsters' knickers , my Great Aunt
Was there for me, the better to defy
The slings and arrows; all the foul mouthed slant
Said to hurt and yes, to make me cry.

As soft as my old boots she wrapped me round
With love, and cared for me when others could
Have sliced and pierced; she always made me sound
Taught me to stand foursquare; she was heartwood.

As gentle as the lion which cuffs its cub
She taught me right from wrong; I never knew
The vagaries of life; she was the hub
Round which I turned, a young girl ingenue.

I never said goodbye, I was not there,
A sin of great omission that I'll grant
But she would know the cause and absence bear;
For she was spinsters' knickers, my Great Aunt.

When flying in from twenty thousand feet
I see the hills below me clad in green
Whilst in the depths of winter sleet and snow
Obscures the view that I have often seen

We turn to land and I can clearly see
The place I left your ashes on the ground
A strange goodbye with people looking on
And no words said by any all around

From such a height you'd think that I would know
That you had gone and never more I'd turn
And catch you standing gazing up the brae
Or crouching in the heather by the burn

Yet still I hear your voice and see your face
When walking amongst strangers on the street
Or sense you just behind me and I turn
When flying in from twenty thousand feet.