Shetland - by
Trying not to step
On the cracks
Or fall through
To some smuggler’s lair
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Trying not to step
On the cracks
Or fall through
To some smuggler’s lair
Alex Cluness was one of Shetland’s quietly influential literary figures: a poet whose work celebrated the islands’ particular landscape and character, an editor and community organiser who helped create space for other writers, and a teacher and an arts officer who played a major role in Shetland’s cultural life.
A’ll love dee till da sheep’s gaet mizzers fifty yairds wide, / A’ll love dee till da shoormal lies a mile below da tide,
An He hedna da hert ta baal dem awa, / For dey lookit dat boannie an rare,
Wi oot-straetched haand I grop me wye afore me, / No far fae da aidge o da slippery, steep banks broo.
I can see da rüfs aa taekit, an da hens aroond da door;
Fok kerryin twartree paets hame, an rigs delled every voar.
Shetlandic poet Rhoda Bulter wrote and performed throughout Scotland in the latter half of the 20th century.
Roseanne Watt is a writer, filmmaker and musician from Shetland.
Hit wis da swans, dat’s whit it wis.Dat’s whit set da day apairt. Twa cygnets, happit in emsket,a midder, a faider. A peerie geo aa ta wirsels, whaar waves yockitsands saftly, maas cried oot abun, an da sun drappit waarmest hugsapö wir shooders, glinkin atween white cloods o oo. Bit da swans,no buddered be dat, […]
Loads of ideas and inspiration to get you started writing poetry in any situation.
Useful tips about how to perform a poem.
A checklist to help you organise a poetry competition.
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