Scotch grannies have a special place in the nation’s affections, not least for their common sense and wisdom. Here, in this engaging wee poem by Helen B Cruickshank, the wisdom extends to matters of the heart. The second little poem, also by Cruickshank, strikes a more elegiac note. Both can be found in her Collected Poems (Reprographia, 1971).
GRANNY
I’m deif, an’ canna hear
The birdies sing,
But fine I ken the unquait
Lilt o’ Spring,
For Rab my grandson shaves
Noo ilka nicht,
An’ daunders careless-like,
Oot o’ my sicht,
Awa’ up Whinny Brae
An’ Roods links he,
An’ comes na hame till ten
Wi’ lichtit e’e:
But wha the lassie is
He ne’er lats dab!
O, fine I ken your state,
My fykey Rab!
Weel, weel, it bude tae come
I’ the green o’ the leaf.
An auld tale Granny hears
Altho’ she’s deif!
~
SPRING GANGS BY ME
The gairy-bee gangs by me
Bummin’ wi’ the news,
Pollen o’ the catkins
Yalla on his trews.
The cordial o’ springtime
Wiles him frae his byke
To feast amang the willow-saughs
By the rushin’ syke.
~
The gowden-feathered coltsfoot
Brave amang the stour,
The bonny-scentit crimson
O’ the curran’ flooer,
The blackbird i’ the lilac
Singin’ matin’-fain. . .
But neither sang nor sunshine
My wound o’ luve can sain.
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