Fish wife

Nae weddit tae the fish at a'
but impregnated, bonely-deep.

Five thoosan lassies track the fleet
a flock o seagulls followin the boats

hatit by low-season Southron landladies
wha tak oor feebut strip the rooms

fer fear fish-stench'd spoil guid furniture
wurmin, boring intae wood and cloth.

Ma riddened honds are intimate wi scales
an gills, roond staring een an guts

fingers numb, ower cauld tae feel
the lacerations o shairp needle banes.

Nae ither wurk sae carried like a stain
untouchables in kirk, in shop, in luve:

the reek o herrin wad imprint itsel
ontae the luver's pillow. We are set apairt.

Smokin stink is woven tae the fibres
o ma duds, the lacin o ma flesh

ma hair is sea-weed, skin is brine
ma sisters rise in phosphorescent shoals.