Short Tartan Poems

ancestral colours 
rallying the clans
Culloden day trip...

Read More

pies on  tartan rugs

before Spring dandelions bloom

- early yard picnic...

Read More

the woods deep and dark —
a tartan cloth underneath
the tarty couple

1/7/2019...

Read More

His face turned red while he played
The bagpipes for Tartan Day
Not for lack of air
But people's stares
When the wind blew his kilt away!...

Read More

Scotland, rich in pride
Braw mountainous scenery
Stands proud and salutes
 
Saltire shares the wind
Tartan Highlanders kilted
Kingdom of the clans...

Read More

In bonnie Scotland wear a kilt
(it seems the thing to do) -
the tartan comes in reds and greens,
and mine's a shade of blue!

written 13th March for Julia's Scottish kilt contest...

Read More

'
Happiness to me,is as easy as can be,
a doughnut and a cup of English tetley tea.
  Lying on my beige leather sofa,
Covered by a Woolen red tartan rug,
Hugging and Kissing,Fondling and snogging,
                 Just watching T.V.






Charma...

Read More

Highland culture filter
Words out of kilter?
KILT
KILL
DILL
DIAL
DEAL
PEAL
PEAN
PLAN
CLAN
No, clandestine link
Brings the Dress Act of 1746 to the brink!
The mighty kilt
On which highland culture is built...

Read More

We fished off the pier in carefree days
when girls wore tartan trews.
In endless summer sun we’d laze
when Tommy Steele was “Singing the Blues”.

Now it’s saffron robes and no-take zones,
maybe coffee in the cafe at the pier,
replaced by ubiquitous mobile phones,
like conversation, things just disappear....

Read More

She wore a tartan bonnet
 
upon her flame red locks,

Around her waist she wore a kilt

For her no fancy frocks.

She puts fire in my veins,

I love her so, I do.

Oh my bonny, bonny lass

My heart I give to you.

I'll love you forever,
 
Aye, my lass I will

And should I live a thousand years,

I shall love you still....

Read More

One day a piper, with stylish intent,
     Wore a tartan kilt, in full regiment.
     But with far too much swagger,
     He sat down on his dagger.
     Now he laments, in a high pitched accent.

     5 / 4 / 2023.
     Sponsor Tania Kitchin.
     A Funny Bawdy Limerick Poetry Contest.

     In full regiment, means, without under garments....

Read More

I love to see a person clad
In skirt or sweater made of plaid.
A shirt or scarf works just as well;
No stripes or dots can parallel.

In Scotland, once, I went to see
A mammoth Tartan factory.
Each pattern has a special name
And certain ones have gained acclaim.

My closet has a wide selection,
Plaids I wear with great affection.
Wardrobes must be really Spartan
If they lack at least one Tartan!...

Read More

Flitting ‘mid the subtle hint of fall
lost amid the maple’s camouflage 
she floats on iridescent wings
attended by leaves mimic entourage.

Rises o’er the heights of tartan trees
savors the beauty, courts the breeze
last dance to celebrate the day
curtain call, applause, it’s nature’s play.
.


©10/2/2019

Writing Challenge, October – Butterfly

Sponsor, Dear Heart – Wiishkobi Ode

....

Read More

Eating alfresco
A beautiful autumn day
Feel we could touch clouds.

Tartan blanket spread
Food consumed, leisurely ease
Taste a gentle kiss

Last sight of summer
Leaves are slowly turning gold
Nature's wedding band.

Slight smell of autumn
Through rays of late summer sun
A benediction.

Musical notes sound
Waterfall draped with green moss
Listening with pleasure....

Read More

The noonday sun as happy as could be,
Jumped from tree to roof, then gave its warm rays
to me.

Cozy and warm neath a tartan plaid throw, 
It made my body positively truly glow.

Better yet were comments and soup mails from friends,
Because these mean so much, to recollect, to cherish, 
as this day's journey begins.


With love,
Panagiota


             February 6, 2020
             11:30am PST...

Read More

I saw a beautiful girl at McDonald's today
clad all in black, her skirt and her stockings
she turned to me right when she paid
and I caught only a glimpse
of her sky-blue eyes that froze my limbs
she didn’t belong there, that’s for sure
'cause she looked too pure just too pure
as beautiful as a purple tartan coffin  
in a funeral home I saw before
I guess that these things just happen quite often
but when they do – just once, no more...

Read More

Cider, you,me…in front of an insouciant fire.

Cinnamon cider swirling in cloissone cups.

Life, a perfect sunset in your amber-chocolate eyes, I dearly sought.

Later, to our bed, to peacefully retire.

The calico cat’s tail wound about our feet.

The tartan blanket embellished us in beauty.

Creating wedding plans, a pleasurable duty.

In graciousness, that we so blessed did meet.!
                     

1/27/2023


...

Read More

Backyard mavens, wise crones
recall generations of groundhogs
that have dwelt in these hedgerows.

In winter
they seed the ground with 'Puffcorn Delites'
bought wholesale from Sam's Club.
The comfortable groundhogs nap in their burrows
contemplating evening feasts.

Furred paws in tartan house slippers
shuffle at back doors. A grey whiskered fuzziness
that is part critter, part elderly granny
stand ever ready
to lend a hand in case baby groundhogs
need burping....

Read More

The tartan plaids are passé’, the new young hip fabric designer said.
She brought out the bolts of her new fall line and I gasped with joy.
I had never seen such beauty on a plain brown background of wool.
I reached to stroke the material, loving the oranges, pinks and yellows.
This is so gorgeous! I told her. I am delighted with it! I love it; LOVE IT!
She was pleased. Shall I make you a jumper?
No thanks, I reluctantly told her. I am allergic to wool.
My fingers began turning red....

Read More

The long skies of Scotland,
Kaleidoscopic
Mixtures of liquid and gas,
Cinematic palettes,
Watercolored squalls
Blowing over, like hearts,
From odious troubles,
Into tartan landscapes,
Highland symmetries
Of epic hills, Monro's
In staggering lines, give
Relief as gorse yellows
Sparkle, and heathers
Define the boundaries,
Of Scottish pride, oh yes
A preserve of esthetics,
Untamed, unclaimed remains,
Half eaten, abandoned
To the wild, centuries of
Warrior blood and thistle....

Read More

Looked outside and a
Lavender rhinoceros
Was staring at me

Some call me loopy
That's a compliment to me
Silly people rock

Every time I sneeze
I piddle in me trousers
And poop my knickers

I dress like a bum
Cause I don't care anymore
I'm retired now

Hugging can lead to
Something other than friendship
An enlarged belly

Men shouldn't ever
Go naked in the winter
Stuff just might fall off

What does a Scottie
Wear under his tartan kilt
Small bits of haggis


© Jack Ellison 2013...

Read More