Click here to hear the poet read his words:
Hallowe’en
aw Scotland’s scary myths and legends
fae Tam o Shanter tae Sawney Bean
creep and slither yince mair fae the shadows
each year the nicht o Hallowe’en
(interlude)
nae bairn can contain their excitement
as the end of October draws near
each wee brain fair itches
as they think about witches
it is the scariest night of the year
aye Hallowe’en’s a nicht o fear-filled frolics
as long as you ca canny
ye micht see a de’il
or a bogle for real
if you keek in each impenetrably dark nook and cranny
some traditions have lasted forever and ever
some changes we find quite surprising
in the US it’s neat
to say trick or treat
but in Scotland for the past 500 years we call it guising
there’s ay laughter and games for the wee yins
with treacle scones hung on a loosely-strung string
just mind your thrapple
when dookin for apples
in case a wild wean wi a sharp-pronged fork takes a swing
everyone carves out a lacklustre lantern
we use turnips but some folk use pumpkins
we may be old fashioned
but please show compassion
and don’t confuse us with near-extinct country bumpkins
though it’s now all modern and commercialised
we aw continue to do things we’re no supposed tae
it’s still the nerve-numbing night
that causes face-freezing fright
when we walk wi all sorts of gruesome ghouls and ghastly ghosties
Hallowe’en is the annual haunt of the bogeyman
he frightens the bravest bairns out of their hat-disguised heads
he has never been seen
but does that really just mean
he is hiding patiently under your bed?
*Glossary of Terms:
aye – yes
ca’ canny – take care
bogle – a bad thing, a spectre, a goblin
keek – look
ay – always
thrapple – throat, windpipe
dookin’ – ducking, trying to capture from a large basin or bath
wean, bairn – child
tae – to
bogeyman – boogeyman (USA), very bad (hopefully) imaginary person
I love that you provided a glossary for those not in the know. A fantastic poem- this is the Halloween I would like to see in the world.
A sad truth of our modern world is that not everyone speaks Scots, so I try to aid those poor unfortunates whene’er possible!
Glad you enjoyed.
I listened 3 times. The first just to listen and even if some words were unfamiliar the meanings were apparent.
Next I took note of the glossary terms for the 2nd listening.
On the third listening I enjoyed your skill of rhyming. No one does it better than you, of course.
Next I searched for Sawney Bean and upon reading that legend I decided not to linger around to listen for a 4th time. No way!
I am honoured beyond words that you spent so much time listening, dear Lady, and then took more time to write such a wonderful comment.
And such high praise, I’m awa’ wi’ the faeries noo, lassie!
What a blessed relief from the American commercialised version that retailers try to foist on us in Australia. Fun piece, CE.
Ye ken, Doug, that the Scots are a wee bit mair doon tae earth!
Jings, crivvens, man, ye’ve just reminded me.
I’m awa tae look fur ma broomstick…
Great piece!
So far every comment has made me laugh!
That’d save ye a shullin or twa oan airyplanes, hen!
Spooktacular!
I loved it 👻
Laughing again.
Thanks. Green Eyes!
I realized, after all this time, I was not reading your work outside the Uni Challenge.
That grievous oversight was quickly remedied.
There hasn’t been much recently, I’ve been immersed in the wretched sequel to ‘After’.
Coming to an Amazon near you soon!
Bravo, caro!
There’s no such thing as too much blatant self-promotion. I say grab it by the “horns” and go for it.
Congrats!!
Ghastly good! 🎃🧟♀️🎃🦄🧙♀️
Laughing.
Thanks, Liz.