Two bays, for a friend
the bay at Rockcliffe
sings its near circle
all around you
did our footprints cross
in the sand there
before we met?
it’s as though
I’ve known you far beyond
these months
or at least as long
as that spring tide surged
from the Solway Firth
time slips on
in sadnesses
and you stood
looking to another crescent
at the Bay of Skaill
and the sea still further out
your steps
impressed in sand
not long after mine
as if kindred souls
in kindnesses
and in near circles
sung around you