This poignant little poem by Muriel McNair, on the theme of ‘Homecoming’, was shortlisted in 2009’s McCash Scots Poetry Competition and serves of a reminder that the 2018 competition has recently been announced. Details below.

    REMBRANDT’S PRODIGAL

A’body’s best kent tale o comin hame

is pentit here by yin who suffert dree

o lossin freens an walth an wife an weans

Yet fand the faither in that misery.

~

Agin the rich but sombre shadowy scene

jist luik the younger laddie’s lowdened heid,

the worn-oot sandals and the sair-torn feet

o the far travelled, ragged, broken bairn.

~

See the twa hauns the faither raxes doun –

the yin sae strang, the tither slenderer

like mither’s haun tae bliss an confort him –

the spendrife wildie – noo at last cam hame.

~

An see the bide-at-hame, sae dour, sau faur

fae bein hame, tho niver gane awa.

COMPETITION REMINDER:

You can enter up to three poems, not longer than 30 lines each, for the 2018 Scots poetry competition. The theme is ‘Destinations’. Poems, on A4 paper, and with the poet’s name and contact details on the reverse, should be sent by post (not emailed) to McCash Competition, c/o Lesley Duncan, Herald Editorial, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB, to arrive by January 31, 2018. Material must be original and hitherto unpublished and can be in any kind of Lowland Scots, including the vernacular. There is a £1000 first prize, a £750 second prize, and five further prizes of £250 each. Entry is free.