Poem of the month - June 2008

The Calvinist The heron is a Presbyterian minister, Standing gloomy in his long grey coat, Looking at his own reflection in a Sabbath loch. Every now and again, pronouncing fire and brimstone, He snatches at an unsuspecting trout And stands with a lump in his throat. The congregation of midges laughs at him in Gaelic; He only prays for them, head bent into grey rain, As a lark sings psalms half a mile above. Kenneth Steven from Wild Horses (Saint Andrew Press, 2002) Poem supplied courtesy of the Scottish Poetry Library

About the Poet Kenneth Steven has grown up in Highland Perthshire and the bulk of his poetry and prose is inspired by the 'wildscape' of that heartland. Indeed this is the title of his volume of selected poems - in which 'The Calvinist' appears - which was published by Peterloo late last year.