Author: [[Nick Roberts]] --- # Performance notes *an Irish drinking song that is also a funeral March* # Yellow Bittern                                          *(after the Irish of Yellow-haired Charles McElgunn)* Ah yellow bittern, have you swallowed this glass I’ve warned you not to swallow in one gulp? The very looking of the glass gives death. The other birds—the merlins, the loons, even midwinter crows— have nothing on your thirst, your supping, your cupping against this dolmen, the shiny stone swilled by this billed-up pond-sedge intoxicant. Where were you tonight, yellow bittern, when I needed you? Flocked off with the Byzantine peacocks and hens or waiting for your turn once the frost burns off? I can’t wait much longer, yellow bittern, the other birds come and sour the jugs. But with you and only you comes my grin when the hot gin comes and we drink our words.