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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