Whatever the Sea: Scottish Poems for Growing Older

age has drifted down / imperceptibly, like dust

Age comes to us all. It is not a unique phenomenon, but it is personal, and it can be perplexing. Poetry gives us a fresh way to think about growing older, and these poems, introduced by Sally Magnusson, celebrate maturity, widen perspectives and confront the inevitable. The poets acknowledge the advent of age, in rueful or upbeat mode, celebrate the bonuses of friendship and late love, survey the weaknesses of body and mind with black humour, and face the final destination with indomitable spirit. Whatever the Sea: Scottish poems for growing older, edited by Lizzie MacGregor, is published in association with the Scottish Poetry Library and with support from the Baring Foundation. It includes poems by Edwin Morgan, Stewart Conn, Alison Prince, Douglas Dunn, Vicki Feaver and DianaHendry.

Lizzie MacGregor is the Assistant Librarian of the Scottish Poetry Library. She has edited the SPL/Polygon’s popular series of poetry anthologies Handsel, Handfast and Lament, as well as Luckenbooth: an anthology of Edinburgh poetry.