From The Scottish Poetry Library

Hannah Lavery is the current Edinburgh Makar. Dear Mum is from her first full-length poetry collection BLOOD SALT SPRING (Polygon Books) which was short-listed for the 2022 Scottish Poetry Book of the Year.

DEAR MUM Looking out this window

I started thinking of Bill Withers of how, when we were all confined to our own five miles, we cared more about our neighbours.

Learned the names of the birds. Noticed our children. I started to cry a wee tear that led quickly to sobbing.

It was quite something.

We put the tree up at the weekend and even though it was only the fifth we felt like we were the last to do it.

Och! It seems like everyone is

depressed and I suppose it did cheer me up to come down to twinkly lights Monday morning.

I just finished the Big Shop

I got you all the things you liked. Then remembered you wouldne be coming...

I think I will put the red cabbage

in a Tupperware and leave it for you on your front step, maybe I will sing Lean on Me, through your letterbox.

We've done well to come this far

you said, it's true, and it'll no be long they say, but I'll pop over, just to see you Just to see you. I will put some tinsel in my hair. Stay outside. Wave to you through your window.

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