so
we have gone then
where once we stood so well
we are all fallen now
where once we stood so well

and who shall hear, who hear the sound
our inarticulate lament
our crying, crying
in the hopeless gasp of human lungs
for our exfoliate oxygen
our domino lament
all dying, dying
in the helpless scrape of skin on bone
for grip in these saltwater meadows
where once we stood so well

and who, who shall hear their falling
where once we also fell
for they will all be gone soon
where once we stood so well
now hear, hear them falling
where once they stood so well


edinburgh 1980