Jen Hadfield's poem, set in Shetland, will leave you feeling drenched, windswept and thoroughly invigorated

Hüm (noun)

(For Bo)


http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/05/poem-week-hum-jen-hadfield



Twilight, gloaming;
to walk blind
against the wind;



to be abject; lick snot
and rain from the top lip
like a sick calf.



To be blinded by rain
from the north.



To be blinded
by westerly rain.



To walk uphill
into a tarry peatcut
and bluster a deal
with the Trowes.


To cross the bull's field
in the dark.



To pass in the dark
a gate of hollow bars
inside which the wind is broaling.



To pass in the dark
a byre like a rotten walnut.



To not know the gate
till you run up against it.



Notes:
broal: cry of a cow or other animal; to cry as in pain
hüm: twilight; gloaming
trow: a mischievous fairy