what might have happened
in old Burn’s life
to drive his tongue
to spill out those deep
those heart wrenching words

what crashed down upon his head
and pressed him to the earth
to cause spirit to split
like olives beneath the stone
and give birth to such an oil
that has lit the way
for many a wandering fool
from his to this day
an echoing of words
set in hard Scottish lilt –

“the best laid plans
of mice and men
oft go awry”