Best Ayrshire Poems
Clans, Ilks and Tartans
Woven into threads of red and black,
Girded by grids of white,
Distant plaintive bagpipe memories
Of sunset over Kilmaurs –
A crest that bears a unicorn
Touches royal roots
As a poet’s tribute to a patron lost
Watches neighbors Campbell and Montgomerie
Then looks out on the seas from tidal lands
Of Ayrshire in flings and reels with swirling kilts
When explorer’s feet recall on new world shores
The mew of seagulls soaring –
Politicians, engineers and entrepreneurs -
Over Fork Over – Cunningham, a clan of auld.
Blocks of green and wine
Stripped with blue
Look back into the heather
Covering highland hills of country dances
Where spring wanders in hunting kilts
Beneath clear cerulean heavens,
Boldly enduring;
A crest that bears a coronet
Of storied noble and knight
Whose melancholy legend
Whispers in glens and gloaming
Of standard bearers for a king
Watched by Ogilvy and Stewart
Lindsay, a clan of auld.
Like sunlight bouncing off of autumn leaves
In crimson, golden amber, umber greening hues -
A sword dance of squares and lines in twirling kilts -
Near the sparkling waters of Loch Lomond;
Clan neighbor Graham and cousins MacCammon
See the crest adorned by a coronet
Prize of battle;
The wind remembers
Tiny windswept island Clarinch -
A battle cry of Clar Innes -
Campaigns of kings and exiled queens –
Chieftain’s seat sees a president and prospector -
Hence the brighter honor – Buchanan, a clan of auld.
Cousins of the same ilk
Bear the names of families -
Of highland lands
And lowland memories -
Seaside and mountain territories -
Kilts wearing colors interwoven patterns
Born of clans with
Tartans telling legends and the stone of destiny,
Plaids dancing at the piper’s hand,
Ancient names, though maybe hidden, still live –
Cunnyngham, Lindsey and MacCammon
Of Buchanan –
In Celtic refrains like iridescent whispers
Woven through clans of auld.
This is the story of my Scottish heritage through the mottos, the tartans, the history and geographic references to the clan homes.
Categories:
ayrshire, dance, family, history,
Form:
Free verse
I am a Burn’s Night baby
(named after the Ayrshire bard)
So we’re off to hunt a haggis
locating one is extremely hard
We scour the hills of Scotland
and have dull and rainy weather
There’s not a haggis to be seen …
they’re all hiding in the heather!
All of a sudden we spot a rare haggis
So hubby fires his gun into the gorse
The haggis scurries into the undergrowth
Hubby missed the wee beastie of course!
We spend hours out there on the hills
All the little haggis are all lying low
I scour the land with my binoculars
But not a hair of one is on show
The sky is getting really dark
we are tired and soaked to the skin
so we descend the slopes to the village
we see a butchers, and swiftly walk in
Hundreds of haggis are on display
With gaping mouth I stare in surprise
Their orange hair is so beautiful
I cannot believe my own eyes
I tell him we’ve been on a haggis hunt
And he glowers at me in shock and alarm
says the one’s on the hills are protected
He gets his stock from a breeding farm
I choose a wee haggis from the shop
When it’s baked we both have a slice
Haggis is a Scottish delicacy
I’ve got to say it tastes 'offally'* nice!
* Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, composed of the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep minced and mixed with beef or mutton suet and oatmeal and seasoned with onion, cayenne pepper, and other spices. The mixture is packed into a sheep's stomach and boiled. Information sourced from google.
01/24/18
Categories:
ayrshire, birthday, food, fun, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
It's one of the plus's of living in Scotland
if you are over the 60 plus age band
travel is free from John O'Groats to Dumfries
giving one the opportunity having a free hand
In a land like Scotland full of great scenery
rugged mountainside and lochs so deep
surrounded by oceans east and west
the Atlantic and the North Sea are a mighty leap
So, my favourite trips are to Inverness and Perth
also love Dunfermline, Andrew Carnegie's town
Edinburgh the capital with its wonderful castle
many lovely places in the borders to be found
Being brought up in the county of Ayrshire
I love to go back and walk Irvine's beach
also back to Kilmarnock bring the memories back
there my home town kept me on the right track
So the buses with its many numbers
taking us over 60s far and near
deckers single and double all for free
blessed trips always forever in top gear
Categories:
ayrshire, freedom, life, travel,
Form:
Rhyme
Glenbuck Son
1913-1981
In Glenbuck he was born
From an Ayrshire mine he did rise
The man who would change so many lives
With the Cherry Pickers he played the game
With Carlisle United he first found fame
At Deepdale with Tom Finny he did play
Seven caps for Scotland he was proud to display
As a manager new tricks to learn
To Carlisle United he did return
At Grimsby he cast his net
The Glenbuck son's destiny was set
Workington and Huddersfield he did run
No to Liverpool in '51
Eight years down the line
An historic day in December '59
All would soon fear the famous THIS IS ANFIELD sign
Promotion in '62
Champions in '64
The Glenbuck son, Kopites did adore
'65 to Wembley in May
The Glenbuck son took the Cup away
Now Into Europe he lead his team
To be Champions of Europe was his dream
Cheated in Milan, all was doom and gloom
Now back home in his beloved boot room
The Glenbuck son would sit in a huddle
'73 he won a league and UEFA cup double
May 74 back at Wembley once more
Malcolm McDonald, what's the score?
July, the Kopites heads are down
The Glenbuck son has relinquished his crown
September 1981
Rest in peace our Glenbuck son
Forever we celebrate his memory
Thank you to the KING BILL SHANKLY
Categories:
ayrshire, sports, son, son,
Form:
Rhyme
This is an interesting question
born in city of Glasgow
moved at 6 weeks to Ayrshire
then 1990 to Renfrew I go
So where is my home?
being brought up in Ayrshire
my formative years are there
so memories are ever on fire
Now based in Renfrew
a small quiet town
once home to a airport
now no planes come down
So Scotland is my nation
born and brought up in this land
here the covenanters braved the foe
till death they did stand
poetgord@2013
Categories:
ayrshire, life,
Form:
Rhyme
The first sign of summer
has this day appeared so clear
the sky's blue with sun about
you can feel it so very near
So to the beach I did go
Tshirt and shorts was my wear
took off trainers and socks
who's looking! I did not care
I then paddled along the sea
my feet was completely wet
so refreshing and cool the water
the time escaped like we'd never met
This is such a good feeling
wish it would last for ever
feeling the rays of the sun
all over myself like a flowing river
So pray for more sunny days
bright and warm is our wish
all over the world this summer
served up like our fav dish
AUTHOR NOTES:
Walking along the beach on the Scottish North Ayrshire coastline the other day,
it was our first really warm sunny day of the summer, just a few thoughts on the
experience.
Categories:
ayrshire, beach, sea, summer, sun,
Form:
Rhyme
Note-It's Burns Weekend in Scotland and this is my tribute to our great bard.I will
be reciting this at a Burns Supper tonight.I hope you like it.
Our Scottish Prince, rustic rogue of rhyme.
Sainted, painted and pillored through time.
Yer cottage it stands, a tribute its true.
How the braw bonnie lassies o Ayrshire loved you.
A common man, wi a romantic notion.
Yer pen was filled wi frivilious potion.
A man o' men, wrote o' love and spite.
Blushin' girls cheeks an' satirical bite.
Scots tounge and dialect, that was straight fae the heart.
Ye wrote "A Man's A Man For A' That."
Yer poems appealling tae the worldly masses.
Yer ghost still lingers in drinkin' mens glasses.
Rabbie, the toast o' the town and the haggis addressed.
Wi' a wee dram o' whisky, we're now fully refreshed.
Yer words were like snow on a loch, stream or river.
Just a moment o' white but not lost forever.
Was a Priince, died a pauper at only thirty seven.
Yer poems are read at supper-time in heaven.
So "fair ye weel and now we'll severe."
But yer memory will stay wi' us forever
Categories:
ayrshire, nostalgiapoems, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
Jamie plays the sport of boccia,
Where you throw your six balls,
Towards the jack with another,
And whoever is nearest, calls.
Jamie has Duchenne Muscular
Dystropy like his brother Scott,
Who’s older. They both blether,
So life’s easier in Jamie’s spot.
Scott made it to London’s lever,
To the 2012 Paralympic games,
When he threw the ball, leather:
Boccia gives your fitness aims.
There’s two methods of Boccia,
One by throwing all your balls,
One by a ramp, that’s the other,
When another places your balls.
Jamie’s assistant is mum, carer,
And all the family feel much joy,
At having this top time together,
‘Cos dad was a footballing boy.
About Rio 2016 he did deliver,
This claim about sports games:
“The thing I want to remember,
is that I don’t think that, [flames],
it’s good to go in and [consider,
that] you know what to expect.
But when you step out [further],
onto the court [you’ll connect],
nothing’s changed…[ever],
it’s the same game once
you’re [on court], out there.”
It’s a very mature responce.
He also says on Rio’s chair:
“The way we have played
recently we know [our flare,
and] we can achieve [glade]
what we want, [that’s our care],
that’s the most important thing.
I think that if you have [blare]
confidence [then you] can win."
The family come from Ayrshire,
From the village of Dundonald,
So Scotland has a bright flare,
In Rio’s boccia squad called.
Categories:
ayrshire, dream, sports, strength,
Form:
Quatrain
Kilmarnock is two places split by Atlantic
one in Virginia other in Ayrshire
they are of different character straits
all bringing their own dimensions higher
The Virginia brand settled way back in early 1600s
originally known as ‘the Crossroads’ as it began
this charming small town is on east Peninsula
between Potomac and Rappahannock waters have ran
The Ayrshire version sits seven miles from coast
the largest town in all of Ayrshire county
famous for it’s whisky, carpets and bonnet making
becoming a royal burgh in 1672 was it’s bounty
In America’s ‘Killie’ town to admire so much
join the Chesapeake Bay wine trail few miles away
see the birth place of Washington and Robert E. Lee
so much to enjoy never fill it in a whole day
In Scotland’s ‘Killie’ town they remember
their national bard Robert Burns no less
his first printed works called ‘Kilmarnock’ edition
to read Rabbie’s words is a sure bless!
(Having recently came to know of a Kilmarnock in USA and having lived my first 36 years in Kilmarnock in Scotland, so thought I would try and bring their respective highs together in written form.)
(KILLIE- is Scots nickname for Kilmarnock)
Categories:
ayrshire, america, history,
Form:
Rhyme
My Tongue has been through a lot
stuttering for the whole of my years
with a Scottish dialect as well
which is rather speedy full of fears
The quickness of my words so unclear
makes others find it hard to grasp
needing often to repeat myself
Scots and stutter no easy task
Having been brought up in Ayrshire
in the Robert Burns home countryside
where the accent is extremely broad
such a variety of tongue's to confide
Many a word spoken in Ayrshire's tone
to 'ken' is to know, 'whit' means what
'hung' is to hang, 'yon' means there
just a few original words to bat!
( I have written this about my Mother Tongue in a few poetic words to describe all that it can involve.)
Categories:
ayrshire, identity, life, spoken word,
Form:
Rhyme
A beautiful day in Ayr
Because its so breezy and fair
Chasing seagulls and sand in my hair
Categories:
ayrshire, age, bible, books, cat,
Form:
ABC
Ayrshire is where I grew up
Bible is God's book inspired and divine
Christine the great love of my present life
Drawn into contentment a real true sign
Encouragement found in God forever my friend
Films full of love and action are my scene
Gordon's my name Scottish born and bred
Holidays enjoyed with lakes our theme
Inspiration moves one to push my pen
Jean my first love pointed me to the Lord
Kilmarnock is a special town of my formative years
Lord Jesus Christ who showed His sharp sword
Music has influenced me throughout my life
Never seen scenery like the Swiss countryside
Opened my mind biblically reading John Calvin
Poetry became my great love always to abide
Quotes are a means to instill my thought life
Renfrew now my home town a burgh royal
Stammer has always been here to haunt me
Tension fuels my stammer rising to boil
Unknown to many but hoped to impress a few
Voices in tune what a pleasure to hear
Words are a treasure, especially making a rhyme
Xercise my legs, walking to be in top gear
Yellow is my favorite colour so fully bright
Zealous for truth especially God's truth so right
(My personal ABC, looking back over my life bringing together all that importantly comes to mind.)
Categories:
ayrshire, life, memory, self,
Form:
Acrostic
In growing up in the country
in a cottage by a farm
we had a pet dog called Glen
was real friendly full of charm
My dad, Glen and I was working away
at neighbouring farm on the hill
Glen a sprightly brown coloured Collie
loved racing the fields couldn't keep still
On finishing work we drove back home
twenty miles in the wet and rain
on way home discovered no Glen
so arrived at home feel real pain
Decided to get some needed sleep
when making supper heard bark at door
opened the door to a great surprise
wet and soaked but my heart did soar
Glen was home travelled all way back
on his own without any kind of aid
a mighty surprise was this indeed
this dog's directive sense is first grade
(This was true story growing up on farm in Ayrshire in south west Scotland.)
Categories:
ayrshire, dog, farm, life,
Form:
Rhyme
Abby comes from Largs in Scotland,
And is visually impaired by Stargardt,
The progressive vision disease panned,
By some of the other Paralympians.
Born on the 4th day of August 2003,
She’s a student at Largs Academy,
She trains hard in the backstroke,
At N. Ayrshire Amateur Swim Club.
So because she’s only thirteen,
Rio was her first Paralympic games,
But for the backstroke 100m S13,
She took silver in a time of 1:09.09.
When she was very young her family,
Holidayed in Australia, and, sad,
That she couldn’t swim, like the rest,
She learnt afterwards with desire.
Categories:
ayrshire, sports, strength,
Form:
Verse
Having lived in Scottish Countryside
during my early formative childhood
a river flowed behind house
many moments there I stood
On a sunny summers day
there watched time go by
so peaceful tranquil setting
makes one want everlasting high
This is the river Irvine
running round it's every bend
taking it's streaming tide along
this stream never to end
Many a walk I've took
with Cora my friendly dog
along this on spring night
taking rest on wooden log
These are such precious memories
one's that need kept in mind
so to be thankful always
for these moments always shined
(This River Irvine runs from Lanarkshire/Ayshire border in south west Scotland ending at the town of Irvine in North Ayrshire.)
Categories:
ayrshire, memory, river, water,
Form:
Rhyme