POEM OF THE DAY

Jim Carruth’s novel poem won a highly commended place in this year’s James Mccash Scots Poetry Competition, run jointly by The Herald and Glasgow University.

YER PAIRL WADDIN ANNIVERSARY

PRAISENT ISNA IN THE POST

Tae best captur the pleisur o oor while thegither wad tak sax airtists ane hale month pentin the beautifu canvas that’s a truck frae Pakistan.

Alang ane side twa magneeficent birds o passion birlin roond flauntin thair bressant fedders in yellae, emerant an reid.

Oan the ither, myndins frae oor life, first fond an gawkit, haudin haunds, syne mairiage an the borrit briddal goun.

Eftir, the wunnerfu blissins oor bairns hae brocht us.

The hint end wad gie muckle meanin tae the wird hame

wi beasts, saisons, soolin an lift, the maikless brawness o shot starns. A truck buskit wi screeds o verse, sma bells, tappietouries an lichts;

awgate happit an anely the smawest styme o aw that’s in oor herts, heatin oor chitterin banes throu the cauldest blaws o snell winter.

Pent on the palette wad be straucht athort the spectrum an ootwith fechting tae yoke an tame sic a michty display o whit luve can be.

Ane sonsie bluim floorishin abuin shauchelt tyres an fauchelt chassis a drab larrie frae Lahore transformt tae a daily-day maisterpiece.

A’d bid ye up aside me in the cab, gie ye the steerin wheel an the road; tell ye that e’en for us thare’s colours eneuch yet for foorit an ayont.