Poems from StAnza 2005

StAnza 2005 : by Sheena Blackhall : tune Drumdelgie
Written & performed at StAnza: Scotland's Poetry Festival 2005.
This is an example of the North East of Scotland's traditional
'Bothy Ballad' or Cornkister song. An event/ place/person/job
is celebrated (or not!) in music.

The Stanza poetry festival is kent baith far an wide
Tae punters at St Andrew's, fowk local an Stateside
Sae bring alang yer Visa, yer Maistercaird or Switch
It's nae that bards are beggars, bit nane o them are rich

Neruda's risen frae the mools, be sure an book yer seat
A radish has a soul, an this Tom Pow'll lat ye meet
I'm telt there's Ghaists at Cockcrow, bit gin thon's ower late
Consumin Passions ower a pint pit versies on a plate

There's jugglers an wird circuses, buik launches an Tai Chi
An gin yer heid is stappt wi wirds…jist glower at the sea
Bit ye micht miss the Jazz Howl, like banshee in its goun
Or Byron's wirks wad cherm the verra corpses frae a tomb

There's Love Bites roon at Abbey Street, libidos fur tae please
An Larry Butler's Nibbles sharin Renga an split peas
Gin ye speir Whit's fur Efters?', takk feedback sheet an pen
An gin it's gweed the SAC will fund it aa again!

Copyright © Sheena Blackhall 2005

Aine is a regular visitor to StAnza. She has read at several Open Mic sessions.

Copyright © Aine (Anne Connolly) 2005

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