Bastle

To eke,
to scratch
to scrape out an existence
on the edge, in the margin
beyond the horizon.

The sour taste of fruit
picked too early
The soreness of digging
land that will not yield.
Failing, infertile, acidic.

Respite from wind,
temporary, brief.
Crouched behind drystone,
wishing like a madman.
that wild land could cure a wild mind.