I still believe my eyescan hold a solar system, catch all the lightsIn so many ways, this year has been an eye opener. But how good to look outwards and upwards again with poets. The theme for #NationalPoetryDay 2020 is Vision and that encompasses a world of feeling. Confession. I’ve been finding it hard to see the light these last few weeks. In search of inspiration – … [Read more...] about Love and light: poetry and prose in the time of coronavirus
Scottish Poetry Library
Willie Hunter 1940-2020
Willie Hunter was better known on the fitba’ pitch than in the field of poetry but he linked both in a way that made a contribution that helped those suffering from dementia. Brought up just a kick of the ball away from the Scottish Poetry Library in Beggs Buildings at Abbeyhill he used to practice headers with his pal in Holyrood Park. He would recall the hurt caused by … [Read more...] about Willie Hunter 1940-2020
Remembering Edwin Morgan at 100
Why do we remember particular poems and poets – and happily forget others? The Scottish poet Edwin Morgan was born 100 years ago, and this week marks the the start of a year of celebration of the man and his work. It goes ahead in a virtual way, with public events cancelled in days of lockdown or deferred to 2021 – an advantage of a year-long celebration. Born in Glasgow on … [Read more...] about Remembering Edwin Morgan at 100
A gleam of starlight from the window: poetry for a pandemic
Trees are cages for them: water holds its breathNorman MacCaig: Stars and PlanetsLook up. Only look up. The night sky framed in my window is an escape from lockdown. Into darkness or light?Two nights ago, on Thursday 26 March, windows and doorways spilled light and sound into strangely silenced streets. The nation’s neighbourhoods erupted in cheering and clapping, … [Read more...] about A gleam of starlight from the window: poetry for a pandemic
Changing dirt into something beautiful
A smile. A simple, unsought pleasure. A wondering thought that lets you wander from the daily rant and rage. A poem for today.Thank you to the Scottish Poetry Library (SPL) for the Poem of the Moment. It is a constantly changing treat. By the time you read this the moment and the mood may well be entirely different.But today it is Rachel McCrum’s heartlifting … [Read more...] about Changing dirt into something beautiful