A Lane Girl’s Howps

by Sara Clark

Howpfu, as tho ma hairt wis kirnin fire,
Howpfu, wi ma dreams presst in the cauld paum o snaw,
Howpfu, tho ma greetin’s the soond o a blowsterie windae,
Howpfu, gowerin up at the muin’s bleart edges
The doorstane cheeps, a hairtbeat flees awa,
Howpfu suin again, courin in the lamplit close,
Howpfu, joys tae tottie tae howd are tovin skyward,
Howpfu, for the staurns leam bonnie bricht abuin the gairden,
Howpfu, awtho deith strides mirksome roond its waws,
Howpfu for the honour o a leear
Howpfu as a jakie at a clased door
Howpfu for a deek at a gowden shore
Still hopefu, terrifee’d e’en nou o heiven.  
Hopefu, ma buitless feet aw droukelt up wi gress
Hopefu, an daikin oot a wee grave for ma hert
Hopefu, an kneelin, an pitten it in.