Grief moves like a glacier

Karen Macfarlane

The weight of it  
hewing       dream-slow     
through this fractured bedrock 

new straths scraped    
into me       empty 
waiting for their rivers.

*Strath (Scots, from Gaelic srath): wide river valley

The Science

Much of Scotland's distinctive geology is the result of the action of glaciers during the last ice-age. The drastic (but beautiful) effects of this slow-moving weight reminded me of the effects of grief, which can feel heavy and slow on a scale unknown in 'normal' life and leaves permanent changes which, though painful, can open new possibilities.

Learn more about straths and see examples from Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Poet

Karen Macfarlane’s poetry and prose have appeared in anthologies and magazines including Poetry Scotland, Green Ink, The Alchemy Spoon and Scotland Magazine. Her first poetry pamphlet, All About the Surface, was published by Seahorse Publications in 2024. When not writing, Karen loves exploring Scotland’s landscapes on foot and in the water.

Next poem: Hope... despite by Helena Fornstedt