W.S. Graham's Implements in Their Places, 1 of 2 (Faber, 1977)
I've relished this book; here are some favourite passages.
What is the language using us for?
Said Malcolm Mooney moving away
Slowly over the white language.
*
What are Communication's
Mistakes in the magic medium doing
To us? It matters only in
So far as we want to be telling
Each other alive about each other
Alive.
from 'What Is the Language Using Us For?'
Baboon,
My soul, is always ready to relinquish
The safe hold and leap on to nothing at all.
At least I hope so.
from 'Language Ah Now You Have Me'
Mr Simpson, kneedeep in the drowned
Thistles of not your own country,
What is your category?
from 'Ten Shots of Mr Simpson'
The good blue sun is pressing
Me into Zennor Hill.
Gently disintegrate me
Said nothing at all.
end of 'Enter a Cloud'
My father,
I try to be the best
In you you give me always.
from 'To Alexander Graham'
I row. I dip my waterbright blades
Into the loch and into silence
And pull and feather my oars and bright
Beads of the used water of light
Drip off astern to die
And mix with the little whirling pools
Over the sea to Skye.
from 'Sgurr Na Gillean Macleod'
Communication is always
On the edge of ridiculous.
from 'Private Poem to Norman Macleod'