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to Bailey's Meconopsis


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ye flooered for a day,

     then fell tae springtime’s braith,

Whilst, a’ anent the wey,

     oblivious of deith

Your wild and yellow kin,

     the flichterie Welsh quine,

Danced on in semple sin,

     nae thocht tae auld lang syne. 

My gairden’s kivert blue –

     nae springtime sapphire lift

Wis buskit fine as you,

     a rarer, fleeting gift!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Author notes

The prompt for this contest is lyrical simplicity, hence the aim of this poem is not a high one.

 

I would prefer not to add a glossary, as I would rather you simply heard "where the words came from". Would all but the most curious please gloss over this glossary, and simply leave me a comment as you see fit. Thank you.

 

Scots Glossary:


flooered - flowered


braith - breath


anent - alongside

wey - way

deith - death

flichterie - fickle, flighty

quine - lass

semple - simple

thocht - thought

auld lang syne - "old long since", days of old, a song of remembrance 

kivert - covered, strewn

lift - the upper air

buskit - adorned 

 

(sorry if the formatting of these notes is awry)

 

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Comments

1 - 16 of 16

  • majorpaul
    November 18
    ?
    Edit | Reply

    Wonderful!

    I love the progression! Beautiful movement. (Take a haggis out of petty cash!)


  • malmadre gold member
    October 28

    Edit | Reply
    This flower is unfamiliar to me, I think you certainly give it due worth. I love the dialect, it adds interest and is set apart by that.
    Your style... we are ever surprised by your versatility. There is no set pattern to your poetry. I like it.


  • waydownuponjoy
    October 22

    Edit | Reply

    I can appreciate ...

    this style of poetry having involved myself in Bardic verse as of late. I find it interesting that the language, which seems a wee bit odd, when read -almost identifies itself without the need to double check the English definition.

    And yes ... you did a fine job with lyrical simplicity and I commend you!

    jy

  • abu nuwas
    October 20

    Edit | Reply

    Really lovely!

    I suppose it is Lowland Scots, although I see you also write in Gaelic. I had to peek at the glossary, and then read again. There was a time when Blue Poppies were deemed to be practically impossible to grow, and I managed to germinate seeds, and grow on to flower. And my capable gardener sister couldn't!

    A beautiful poem for a beautiful flower.

    • Mairi bheag gold member
      October 20
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you. I don't actually write in Gaelic - the other poem is someone else's work (if you read the notes and the rules of the contest).


  • adios muchachos gold member
    October 17

    Edit | Reply

    Mairi

    Loved reading this one. Afraid to say though, that I can kill anything that grows.
    All thumbs, and not one of them green!

    Liked the way this read.
    The last four lines spoiled all your hopes at simplicity and raised this up, up up!

    E=mc2

    Excellence = mediocrity x creativity squared


  • Amera gold member
    October 14

    Edit | Reply
    Meconopsis has been a popular genus with gardeners for years; now you have made it popular with poets.

    Love,
    Amera♥


  • Pure Thought silver member
    October 13

    Edit | Reply
    Well painted lyrically!


  • Pattiboo silver member
    October 13

    Edit | Reply
    Got plenty of the yellow Welsh poppies that self sow everywhere but that elusive Blue poppy
    I have tried to grow several times all to no avail.

    Good luck in the contest

  • Bad Bill
    October 13

    Edit | Reply
    Shades o' the Bard o' Ayrshire himsel', lassie! And I agree with Jeff - lyrical beauty is a high enough aim in itself. A lovely (and very lyrical) poem.

    Is mise le meas,
    Bill


  • cricketjeff gold member
    October 13

    Edit | Reply
    You auld Scots softy you

    Delightfully lyrical, what aiming point could possibly be higher in poetry than lyrical beauty?



    Of the very not-badest

    J

1 - 16 of 16