HELEN B Cruickshank’s theme should be depressing but her sparkiness and wit turn it into a demonstration of the indomitable human spirit. The piece can be found in her Collected Poems, published by Reprographia in 1971.

SAE LANG HAS SORROW

Sae lang has Sorrow tenanted

The hoose o’ Life wi’ me,

An saut-like seasoned ilka meal

Wi’ sharpened ecstasie,

That gin she cam’ tae say Fareweel,

An’ Joy hersel’ cam’ ben,

I doubt I wadna welcome her,

The bonny smilin’ quean.

And at the lanely hinderend

Gin I sud tak’ the road

Tae regions yont the yett o’ Daith,

A sorrowless abode

I doobt I wadna feel at hame

Sans sorrow an’ sans sin,

But fleein’ frae the wersh-like place

I’d tirl anither pin.