night fire
as the day wanes to darkness
good cheer
© Rachel Green July 2021
Grim
When a new churchyard is opened
it is believed the first person buried
has to guard it against the Devil.
To prevent a human soul
from having to perform this duty,
a black dog is buried in the north corner
as a substitute.
According to Scots belief
the spirit of the person
most recently buried
protects the churchyard
until the next funeral
provides a new guardian
to replace them.
This vigil is the faire chlaidh
or "graveyard watch".
© Rachel Green July 2021
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