From Afton Waters

By Robert Burns

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 10-16 May. Its theme this year is “Nature” – a subject on which there is no shortage of poems. Robert Burns wrote some of our greatest nature lyrics, and “Afton Waters” is one of his prettiest. In it, Burns reflects on the soothing properties of nature, of “green braes,” a “murmuring stream” and “whistling blackbirds.” For more on Mental Health Awareness Week, see www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise; My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

Thou stock-dove, whose echo resounds thro' the glen, Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den, Thou green-crested lapwing, thy screaming forbear, I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair.

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills, Far mark'd with the courses of clear winding rills; There daily I wander as noon rises high,

My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye.

How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow; There oft, as mild Ev'ning sweeps over the lea, The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary and me.

You can find poems by Robert Burns at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT, which is operating a click and collect service, e-mail reception@spl.org.uk or visit www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk