Poem of the week: Robert Alan Jamieson
In his new bi-lingual collection Nort Atlantik Drift (Luath, £15), Robert Alan Jamieson takes the reader on a journey to the rhythms and voices of Shetland, creating a lyrical blend of mythology, autobiography and culture. He appears at the StAnza poetry festival this weekend.
Laamint fir da tristie
Kooshin Bill wis lost
heddit fir Hillswiek
akross Sænt Magnis Bæ
on a koors nyght
in an opin boat –
fokk sed
he wis gjaain
t'da bød dær –
(fir drink!)
He tinks – Aa dat waatir!
Man, hit's dry t'die a'drooth
amung sæ mukkil waatir.
Lament for the thirsty
Cousin Bill was drowned, heading for Hillswick across St Magnus Bay
on a stormy night in an open boat – People said
he was going to the pub there – (for drink!)
He thinks – All that water! Man, it's ironic to die of thirst in the midst of so much water.
You can borrow Nort Atlantik Drift from the Scottish Poetry Library, which also lends by post. Tel: 0131-557 2876, e-mail reception@spl.org.uk or visit www.spl.org.uk
The full article contains 187 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
13 March 2008 4:54 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
