SAINT

 

Psalm-chanter amid the arrow-storm,
Should a saint, God-tempter,
Bare his neck and breast?

Should a saint be land-splitter,
King-supplicant, in a world
Of Christ-rejection?

If he will desire sea-chilled
Monkishness, should a saint
Become wife-bonded?

Sleek dragon-heads affright
Plough-followers: does
A Christ-follower contend thus?

Dove-simple, is the saint
Also serpent-wise? Yet
He is accepter of God’s will.

Christ dies a robber-death;
Should His saint die requesting
A chieftain-death?

Christ-sleeper in your earth-bed,
Prayer-deaf, among the blood-redeemed,
Do you lie, Magnus, God-called,
The only saint you will be?                                                    15/07/2018

This needs an explanation; it refers to Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, in due course recognised as a saint.  See here: Magnus Erlendsson.  He is the great hero of the writings of the Orkney poet, George Mackay Brown.  Much that I have learned about putting a poem together comes from GMB; but that doesn't mean I always agree with him.

For another view of GMB see Ships.  And more of the rather magical islands of Orkney are here: Scottish Stones.

Since I'm in the mood for links, try:

Dawyck Botanic Garden

And the carving is:

David Douglas, botanist and collector