The crack’s fu’ wide; the shank’s fu’ strang;

A’ that I was is oot.

My knots o’ nerves that struggled sair

Are weel reflected in the herb;

My crookit instincts were like this,

As sterile and acerb.

My self-tormented spirit took

The shape repeated in the thistle;

Sma’ beauty jouked my rawny banes

And maze o’ gristle.