Rachel McCrum - Radio Orkney Poem #7
Radio Orkney, 1977
'The study of electromagnetic phenomena such as reflection, refraction, polarization, diffraction, and absorption is of critical importance in the study of how radio waves move in free space and over the surface of the Earth. Different frequencies experience different combinations of these phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere, making certain radio bands more useful for specific purposes than others.'
(from the Wikipedia entry 'Radio Wave')
The sea, trailing whiteghost hair, shivers home in waves,
to a population low voiced, modest but not set in stone.
A surge of Old Scotia from south and west that foams and waves
incomers in, those seeking meaning not yet quite begun.
The join of Balfour's whitewashed roof braves
the ossuary absent of bones, the fingers of the setting sun.
A groundswell sweet and low as local airwaves
flies like the crow between dry walls, standing stones.
A surge along the lengths of waves,
Maxwell's sums still standing strong.
The island living new tradition. Soundwaves
longer than light and nothing's set in stone.
No tick needed, nothin missing here. Lambs shiver and brave
standing tall. The rise and fall of speech. Nothing's set in stone.
Rachel McCrum - Radio Orkney
Poet in Residence Rachel McCrum reads her Radio Orkney poem
