Shetlandic Archives

Poet in the Past: Poetry and Architecture

{ Learning Resource }

A classroom resource pack about writing poems about historic buildings. P3 to S4. Pack includes printable worksheets.

The stars are the map I unfurl - by Gary Quinn

{ Poem }

Da starns are da map I unrowl

Aald Boat - by John Peterson

{ Poem }

Doo minds dee, whan da wind stöd wast,
/ I’d lay twa linns, and rin dee doon,
/ An tak a stane, an step…

Da Corbie - by John Peterson

{ Poem }

Supraeme sits he,
/ His fedders prinkin,
/ Sun-bricht,
/ Ita da grit sun’s glinkin,
/
/ A lowin flame,
/ Wi black een blinkin –
/ Nor deevil ane
/ Keens what he’s…

Shetland poet and photographer John (Jack) Peterson was strongly influenced by his experience of the First World War, particularly the Battle of the Somme; the conflict continued to haunt his later writings.

Soondscapes - by Christine De Luca

{ Poem }

I da dizzied hoose, a strum of flechs baet
/ endless drums fornenst a frenzied window.
/ Belligerent, dey want nedder in nor oot.
/
/ Apö…

Jim Mainland

{ Poet }

Jim Mainland has two poetry collections published by Hansel Press. While most of his work is in English, he has translated a wide variety of poetry into vivid Shetland dialect.

Discontinuity - by Christine De Luca

{ Poem }

I could blame da wye da sea is smoothed
/ da stanes; da sylk o touch; da waelin, laevin;
/ an will da haert…

fram da far-haaf - by Robert Alan Jamieson

{ Poem }

Wake up man! Waken! Listen!
/
/ What?
/ What is it?
/
/ Oh what a dream I’ve had,…

William J. Tait

{ Poet }

Bill Tait was born on the Shetland island of Yell. He studied at Edinburgh University and taught English in Shetland, England and Dundee. His collected poems, published in 1980, were the culmination of 40 years of writing.