View From A Plinth

Robert Burns comments on his view over George Square

I'm standing here in foul and fair

Looking out all o'er the square

It's no the place that once I knew

There's many here where once were few

But even though the years have flown

This simple truth you'll ken I'll own

That each man's nature constant stays

Regardless o his rank and claise

And even tho I'm noo lang deid

The seagulls shat upon my heid!

ken-know, claise-clothes, noo-now

lang-long, deid-dead, heid-head

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I don't know how I missed this gem Alan. Better late than never. Hilarious. I just love the humour here and my thoughts turned to Stuart Beattie Cullen, my brother in law, no longer with us who would have roared with laughter at this one. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Chris. I wrote this when I was high and poems write themselves. Would it were that simple! We are lucky to have Burns as inspiration.
Hope you are fine.
Take care,
Alan

[Omikron]

Scottish callousness is nothing but a delight to everyone that is subjected to it. Loved this

// O

[alanwgraham]

I really appreciate your kind words Omicron. Scottish callousness - never!
Its always good to finish with a laugh.
Cheers,
Alan

[Patricia]

LOL I sympathize! I used to live near Chicago and going into the city parks was like dodge a poo from all the pigeons. Never a clean place to sit either. Love the lingo in this

[alanwgraham]

Apologies for my belated thanks Patricia. I seem to have missed your kind review. I did have fun writing this and hope that Rabbie would have approved.
Thanks again,
Alan

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Rick. I'm high just now. I can be the seagull, Rabbie, and the observer in one, in my head. Earlier today a possible insight (hypothesis) popped into my head about how my manic poems can appear in a few seconds fully formed. It could involve the metaphor of parallel processors and brain architecture. My very clever, software son might assist.
Cheers, Alan. I need to sleep now.

[Rick Puetter]

Another simple and amusing piece. I can see you're having fun. Again, greatly enjoyed.

[alanwgraham]

Ta Rick. Definitely having fun but it is said that the only language Burns has not been translated into is English!
Cheers,
Alan

[alanwgraham]

I'm going to embarrass BG now by saying that she kicked me oot the cafe for using the Scots. I hope she'll agree we've made up!

[barleygirl]

Of all the people who do dialect, any dialect, you do yours best. This is so carefully written to hit every single note, when it comes to how this sounds . . . it's a work of art in that regard . . . plus, I usually don't like the backward phrasing of Elizabethan styling, but you've also done that so very carefully, it reads smoothly & not a bit clunky as Elizabethan can often be for me to read. And of course, your perfect comic timing of lofty-sounding seriousness which ends in a funny twist! Great word crafting! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Margie. If you make it to Scotland and spot a demented guy wandering round the statues and talking to the seagulls you'll know who it is.
Exciting (and scary) times ahead for you!
Look after yourself.
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

I'll have to brush up on my Scottish Alan!! Just kidding of course. Everything changes but the statue; especially people, who come and go; next time please don't stand near there; its a haven for pigeons.I love your poem, so great and funny. Best always, Betty

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Betty. I couldn't resist this one. I was tempted to write a poem for each of the seagull adorned statues in the square - a varied bunch of rascals and heros.
All the best,
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

Same to you!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Another piece that I can relate to coming from Glesgie. Love the humour in this as the bard looks down. Will be expecting him to recite something when I next walk past. Third line 'once Knew?

[alanwgraham]

I couldn't resist this - nor my first pint nearby! Thanks for spotting that slip.
Many thanks again. Glasgow (and our daughter) is under lockdown again - been enjoying themselves too much!
Take care.
Alan

[John the Baptist]

Really liked the rhyming and the old Scots dialect. On the bright side, he apparently hasn't been vandalized.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks John. The statue is of our great poet Robert Burns and I couldn't resist a wee tribute.
Take care,
Alan