The Herald

OF THE DAY

- WITH LESLEY DUNCAN

THE globally-known Scottish psychiatri­st RD Laing is the subject of a movie, starring David Tennant, which had its premiere last night at the end of the Glasgow Film Festival. Laing’s views on the treatment of the mentally ill may have been controvers­ial but he wrote accomplish­ed sonnets of classical form and content. Here are two of them from his collection, simply called Sonnets (Michael Joseph,1979). SONNET 4 When I consider what you mean to me It is a fact I’ve come to realise That you’re my closest link to paradise Despite what wise men try to make me see. They caution us against idolatry And tell us that we should not jeopardise Immortal life for anything that dies: And not to be bemused by mere beauty. It seems ungracious not to take delight In day because it turns so soon to night. Eternity is always here to stay: It’s only you and I who fade away. You are my here and now, my present tense. I hope you will excuse my diffidence. SONNET 16 Now all our guests have come and gone away, And you and I can hold each other close, No need for haste as we await the day The night falls into. No need suppose We’ve failed to find what we had lost before We caught the gleam in one another’s eyes Which signalled hope returned, to teach us more Than seemed our crumpled hearts could realise. The ghosts of youth are weary of the stage. There’s no one left to offer us a fight. No sermons we must sit through at our age. No passing fancies shrouding our delight. Sweetheart, our love is true, but can’t outlast Our ruined, raddled flesh. O hold me fast.

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