St Cuthbert’s Procession ‘He was invited by my master Sibba….. who lived near the river called the Tweed, and came to his village with a company of people piously singing psalms and hymns.’ Anon. Life of St Cuthbert Sing praise wholehearted words to the bright blessed graceful salmon that is as wise as Himself the salmon at the well of mercy We meet on the joyful path. Created word-wise, we delight to praise Him in our own tongue, oft with joy-craft. Bless our swine, kine, sheep may they rest grass-sated in leaf-shade of rowan. Blithe No boundary steppers we, mindful of our covenant with the Rune Man we bless you otter, gliding, mud wrestling, wild goats skipping on the hills Be healthy Walker-weaver, Be healthy Leaf-worm As day’s eye petals bloom, open to the peace candle we offer Sib-love, truth love of friends and un-friends alike Let all unfriended people come, we will share. Heart love, bee bread, meat.
Endnote: In Old English, joy-craft = music, boundary stepper = those who transgress, Rune Man = decipher-er of mysteries, here with capitals applied to God. Walker-weaver = spider, day’s eye = daisy, peace candle = sun, bee bread = honeycomb , meat = food.
Barbara Usher practises animal theology on her 4 acre animal sanctuary, Noah’s Arcs. Her poetry has been published in Borderlands: an Anthology,Dreich, Last Leaves, and in Liennekjournal. Her work appears on the Resilience soundscape for Live Borders, and she has contributed to a local project with Historic Environment Scotland.
Amethyst Review 