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Scottish Lore

Haggis hype Bagpipes bleating like unshorn sheep Tartan theatrical - military tatoos Scotland cloning Dolly the Sheep National pride - Robbie Burns, poet, bard of Auld Lang Syne Highlands of ancient rocks, rift vallies natural beauty, layers of worth Loch Ness, geologic scooped, water serene Nessie settled in depths, unseen sonar detection elusive marine monster of geeky charm conjured in gift shop puffery Nessie hat, Dragon like, tucked above protruding ears In Edinburgh's historic streets Whiskey fed men, burly, bearded strut wrapped in kilts traditional garb plaid, pleated, blessed, dressed in woolen scratchiness (avoid a public itch) Breezy kilts wrap manly legs menaced by thigh high thistles Scottish reach prickly No matter Scots men, image strong (ignore the thistles and street whistles) brimming swagger like malt liquor skirting scavengers in exploration peaks men in kilts (minimalism denied) protectors of the realm unafraid to let it all hang out Poem composed: March 10, 2021

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Gary Radice

Date: 3/25/2021 1:56:00 AM

Avoid a public itch LOL!! I think the person who dreamed up the idea of Nessie deserves a tourist board gold medal. I have to say we love Scotland and holidayed there many a time and Loch Lomond is beautiful. Your poem has made me smile this morning. Thanks Brian. Good luck in the competition. PS: Is anything worn under there? No it's all in perfectly good working order...I know..I know..apologies.. :)

Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/25/2021 8:35:00 AM

Greetings Gary, I much admire your poetry so your thumbs up on my bit of Scottish Lore is appreciated. A smile is a welcome response to the piece. And yes, the under the kilt mystery remains - personal taste allowed in the lore of Scottish men. Best wishes always, Brian

Susan Woodrow

Date: 3/10/2021 7:00:00 PM

hilarious esp. the last stanza! reminded me of some war joke about the Scots scaring the Brits away simply by lifting their kilts... breezy wooly kilts lol! :)

Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/10/2021 7:30:00 PM

Greetings Susan, My appreciation for your positive view of the piece. I wasn't sure if the suggestive final stanza would register. The question of what Scots wear beneath their kilts is as unresolved as Nessie. Cheers Brian

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/10/2021 1:36:00 PM

Brian, I was really impressed with your Scottish poem. I visited Scotland briefly one year with my wife. Lovely country. But, I don't think we saw a single kilt-wearing man while there. Hmmmm....

Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/10/2021 3:31:00 PM

Hi Milton Thanks for your message. On our August tour of Scotland, we did see a good number of lads in kilts, but primarily in Edinburgh. Cheers, Brian

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/10/2021 10:58:00 AM

"Breezy kilts wrap manly legs menaced by thigh high thistles Scottish reach prickly No matter" and "ignore the whistles" truly tickled me! I think this is headed straight to a winner's circle.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 3/10/2021 12:34:00 PM

Hello Caren Thanks very much for the vote of confidence. I do have a string of NA's so I take nothing for granted. Best wishes, Brian