Immortal burns

I am writing in response to Bert Stevenson’s letter of 27 January which attracted the headline “Of course, Robert Burns was a fine poet, but remember a man’s a man for aw that”. There are many fine poets but few achieve immortality.

I regarded it as a privilege to be invited last Friday night to deliver the Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, particularly as it was at a Burns Supper with friends and neighbours in Edinburgh.

I ended my toast by reminding those present that the genius of Robert Burns was clearly expressed in his use of the words ‘Auld Lang Syne’. With them, he gave the human race what is an extraordinary poem aspiring to the condition of prayer with the important message that we should celebrate the mysterious ‘passing of time’ on New Year’s Eve by reminding ourselves of those ‘Old Times Past’, filled with the memories of friends and loved ones as we contemplate the uncertainty of future time contained within the coming of a new year.

I felt it necessary to express sadness that, as a poet of undoubted stature, Liz Lochhead should compare the life of Robert Burns with that of Harvey Weinstein. Their lives belong to two contrasting centuries and Burns was no doubt inspired by the spirit of the French Revolution.

In the second decade of the Third Millennium we live in a fast-changing world, unlike that at the end of the 18th century. We cannot see a bright future uncluttered by the impending chaos of Brexit.

Robert Burns stands unique as a global figure in world history. His stage was extended far beyond the boundaries of Scotland or even Europe. His soul was conjoined with that of all men of all time.

Liz Lochhead was right; the Burns Supper is too often reduced by our over-sentimentalised view of the life of Robert Burns. We must rejoice in the fact that there is a Scottish dimension engrained in the words ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and all humankind is obliged to use them as an expression of enduring friendship. I would like to think that, with her poetic vision, Liz Lochhead will plan to attend a Burns Supper next year and give to it her capacity to toast the Immortal Memory of a fellow poet.

RICHARD DEMARCO Address supplied by email