Asking a blessing
of stone.

Nestled in a blaze,
blue water and a cup
of soft heathered hills,

Orkney’s patchwork
spread at her feet
colours untangled by the sun.

If I pace three times
widdershins

will I snap open the book,
find my lightning-struck fate
written on pages,
lichen-stained
ochre and gold?

Others scry the surface
read the cracks like lifelines
in a hard palm,

scratch their wishes
to unseen gods.

In the dark unknown
we will soon learn
stone is deaf to our pleas

or we do not know
the truth of our wishes.

 

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Gerry Stewart is a creative writing tutor, poet and editor currently based in Finland. Her
collection Post-Holiday Blues was published by Flambard Press. She continues to struggle
with the Finnish language and winters.