Jug

by Elizabeth Burns

after Vermeer

a thin stream of milk
poured from the heavy earthenware jug
into a tureen

this little slip of liquid
tipping over the lip of the jug
continually flowing

from one vessel to another
as we, all our lives, are being filled
replenished and replenished

This is a poem from the pamphlet Clay, published by Wayleave Press, which has been shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry 2015.
From the judges:
“A pamphlet whose slightness gives way to profound understanding and whose lightness is beautiful discipline. An exhilarating collection.”

Elizabeth Burns

Elizabeth Burns was a Scottish poet who retained close connections to her Scottish roots when she moved to Lancaster with her family about 20 years ago. She published four full collections, most recently Held (Polygon, 2010). Her pamphlet The Shortest Days (Galdragon, 2008) won the inaugural Michael Marks Award for pamphlets. Elizabeth was always drawn to the work of other artists and makers and relished collaborations. Throughout 2014/2015 she worked on a joint exhibition with painter Ann Gilchrist and potter Paul Tebble and during this time explored the ideas about pots and the potter’s process that resulted in the poems in her pamphlet, Clay, published shortly before her death in August 2015.