POEM OF THE WEEK

To mark the reopening of the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, 12 poems were commissioned, with one being released every month throughout 2015 and featured on postcards. The latest poem is from Johnny Mcknight. Unlike other poems in the series, Mcknight isn’t so taken with the romance of the experience of visiting the theatre. Instead, he humorously details the little trials – from seats with restricted views to needing to visit the bathroom – which conspire to distract us from what’s taking place on stage.

Ticket stumps in wan han’ an’ programmes in the other She guides us tae oor seat. Just as six follows seven, twelve follows thirteen An’ with dimmed lights follows – Silence. Fu’ ae aw the hope ae Hope Street Unwrapped like hard-biled sweets Waiting… to be carried away on the backs ae lights too bright Corsets too tight, seats wi’ restricted sight, weans oan sugar high as kites Interval drinks that ur overpriced, ice cream tubs but never ony choc ice Empty tubs stashed unnerneath hopin’ naebody will see Downed pints ae lager, folk bursting fur a wee Walls built wi’ laughter and a moat filled wi’ tears Seat wi a number, a nicht tae forget whit we fear. But no long noo til the big light comes oan Wings clipped and snipped as we skulk oor way home.

The poem is available on postcards from the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. For poetry enquiries, contact the Scottish Poetry Library via e-mail at reception@spl.org.uk or see www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk for details