Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Daily Poem

Tuesday 13 December 1994 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Many Years After By Iain Crichton Smith She glanced at me over her shoulder like a faun.

A girlish glance of forty years ago.

Her face was withered, and her eyes were dull.

There was a cute devilishness in her gaze.

My heart was almost broken as I saw the short skirt whirl about her veined legs.

The sea is venomous and unmerciful.

I turned away. She would have seen my bald head like a rock that's pestered by the salty tide Iain Crichton Smith was born in 1925 on the island of Lewis. Educated at Aberdeen University, he became a teacher after national service. In 1977 he resigned towrite full time. He has received many awards and honours, including the OBE in 1980. His prev ious collections include `Selected Poems' (1985), `Collected Poems' (1992) and `Selected Stories' (1990), all published by Carcanet. This poem appears in his collection `Ends & Beginnings' published by Carcanet at £8.95. All this week, the Daily Poem wil l feature the theme of aging.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in