Poetry Map
We all know poems about Scotland but can the shape and nature of Scotland be drawn entirely in poetry? StAnza has set itself the challenge to see if this is the case. Find out more about the project and how to submit your poem by clicking here, or browse the poems using the map. Latest poems are listed below.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 382
War Memorial in an Orkney Valley
On its weathered spire sings a blackbird
a near silhouette sentinel
in false light of the moon
its sonar song scans the stillness of the fields
and a melody of melancholy
lulls the lowing beasts to sleep.
Then a reply
from the dusky auditorium where night is born
like an echo
scored with imperfections
leaves the blackbird thinking
is that friend?
or is that foe?
Andrew Velzian
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 381
Pictland
we love the land you walked
where you all talked around
and stalked the bear and deer
and feel in you fear coming
no seer spies thousands of years
and beyond of days unknown
days that now have little words
giving nothing to the eye
that cannot see our thought
or why it brings us back
Lindsay Craik
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 380
On To America (a moment in the sea)
The grey flat of the bottomless sea in
to which the boy in yellow longs steps gin
gerly. Stretching out into grey sullen
? of possibilities. He is
only 9 years old, possible futures lie
Before him on the sullen grey and
on to America should he decide.
Are you going to swim, or not? She calls
Look! The dog is swimming. Look!
He is on-
ly 9 years old. He is in the sea, in his
yellow Longs; alone; and she is filming.
William Cowan
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 379
Parkhill Wood
Bluebells crowd the woodland scene
Ragged Robins murmur sunlit pink
beyond the wood shades of green
demand we stop to smile to think
here Ragged Robins sunlit pink
make shadow spaces come alive
demand we stop to smile to think
how dark and light together thrive
shadow spaces come alive
branches whisper above the blue
dark and light together thrive
the chinkling burn meanders through
branches whisper above the blue
the eye caressed by shades of green
the chinkling burn meanders through
Bluebells crowd the woodland scene
George W Colkitto
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 378
Maggie McIver’s Dream
We are pure dead brilliant,
East End fandabidosi style
with neon teeth stretching above
the Gallowgate.
You see us before you’ve even arrived
with our star struck mary doll smile.
And once you’ve ventured inside,
it’s full steam ahead to a time gone by.
Our black and red linoleum stair
shout slogans, but the sinners are unaware
as the 1960’s flamingo pink loos have seen
their fair share of stylish shoes and trendy hairdos.
Once inside the womb venue, where
we’ve nurtured lust and romance, given birth
to love, stars and musical chance.
Vaulted diamond ceiling, sparkling world,
sprung dance floor stickier than the air
thick with the stench of crisps, Irn Bru and cheap beer.
Iconic, the original Glasgow sin,
where every real star wants to be in.
No old gallus grand dame, we are Queen.
Remember everyone knows our name,
written in neon above the door
Barrowland,
we have been so much more
than a just ballroom since 1934.
We are Maggie McIver’s Dream.
Catherine Conoboy-Reid
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.
Poetry Map of Scotland: poem no. 377
Port Seton Snake
The children brought pebbles first,
painted on a rainy day
when lockdown seemed unreal.
Over time it became routine.
Family members all brought stones -
Hello! For Grandma Bet, save our NHS!
Poppies and words of hope, anger.
Distress.
And the line grew, until a pretty snake
wound along the street and the first
ones placed, months before, began
to flake and fade.
Hell For G et,. save u S
Poppies washed away.
What scares me? They are merely
stones along a road.
Children's daubed rainbows
a winding shrine to the dead.
Sadie Maskery
View our full map of Scotland in Poems as it grows »
For instructions on how to submit your own poems, click here
All poems from our Poetry Map of Scotland are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced otherwise without the poet's permission.