Guest Poem by Jock Stein

Jock Stein, currently convener of Tyne and Esk Writers, is a minister and musician living in Haddington whose latest book, Temple and Tartan: Psalms, Poetry and Scotland can be obtained through www.handselpress.co.uk. He brings experience of the Sheffield steel industry, life in Kenya and Hungary, and managing a 90 bed conference centre to his poetry, which is written in many styles. There is always more to life and poetry. Photo by Alan Sorensen. This poem is from Acumen 108.

The First Snowdrop

Modest, trembling, they appeared together:
why be first when you can burst upon the scene
like mini US cavalry, genes and ethics matched,
despatched midwinter on a mission, gently bent
to tame the harsher shades of government,
calm down showers of asteroids,
halt the fighting in Ukraine?