HOGMANAY

The smoke of the Juniper closes 

the year, we pray for cladding, 

and wear ash to heal 

our bones –   

Berries distil into oil and wine, 

our remedy for loss, our cure 

for white after blue 

bleeds gold –   

Bonsai roots pruned into shape 

lose vigor in confinement, 

though the fruit is still ample, 

though the graft has style.