Balmorality
Late response to Penny Fuller's Part B: The A-Z of Unusual Words
My Word Choice: Balmorality - the superficial idealisation of Scottish culture, particularly associated with the popularity and enthusiasm Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had for all things Scottish.
My Connection: So, initially, my first option for this challenge would have been balderdash, because I just love that word. But, the one and only Rachel Deeming got there first. Fair play. D.K. Shepard introduced me to Balmorality, as I had never heard of an actual word for the thing. I've known, of course, as someone born and raised in Scotland, now living again in Scotland, of the fanciful and romanticised, but often superficial love affair people seem to have with my homeland and various aspects of its culture. I do appreciate that my country is geographically and culturally significant and beautiful, but it's when people who have no real connection cling on to even the slightest of aspects of that culture, that it stokes my ire more than a little. You could call it gatekeeping, but, it does feel a little like cultural appropriation.
Balmorality
I understand the attraction
Of course I do, as Scotland is magical
to celebrate the distinction
full of many things to stir the emotions
But I must offer interruption
as a man proud of my humblest of beginnings
to your complete idealisation
all and everything Caledonian
Tartan's smart, but why the addiction
Frustration grows from your conception
Of what you cannot claim in its inception
you long to be like a true Caledonian
cling to customs of the true Caledonian
as an unofficial Custodian
blood boils at hollow adoration
Scotland is for more than just idealisation
Though it's quaint, and pronunciation
requires a distinctive brogue, I make a distinction
Then admire you can, by all means, the civilisation
born within our lowlands, highlands, and islands with realisation
Unless you've lived our struggles, felt the weight,
of what it means to bear this Scottish fate,
Appreciate, but forgo your shallow idealisation
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Late entry into the B Part of Penny Fuller's wonderful A to Z of Unusual Words. The poem is 157 words long, so a little out of the limit. Not too far, though? I may have gotten a little cross, writing this.
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Paul Stewart
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Comments (11)
It was a super interesting word. The definition I would have given it versus the definition I got were not a venn diagram, but it made so much sense once it was defined. I liked the repetition here of "true Caledonian" and I wanted a third one to complete the triad 😭 though something about the interruption of Caledonian for custodian intrigues me a little. you long to be like a true Caledonian cling to customs of the true Caledonian as an unofficial Custodian
Another enjoyable read! My bros both wore family tartan kilts to their weddings but they’re dinky di aussies😳
I was wondering if we were catching a little attitude from you, near the end there!! Your authors note confirmed it for me!! There was something about the mouth feel of this one that really sticks with me... like a Guinness on a cold day! Great work Paul!
I’m so thrilled you decided to craft a piece for this word!! Love the thread of the rhyme and the urge for awareness that comes through so ardently! Love it!!
I mean, sometimes I too wouldn't like it when someone else goes overboard with something that I have a stronger connection with than them, lol. Loved your poem!
Fantastic word and poem!!!❤️❤️💕
A new word for me! I've also just recognised that I often feel.uncomfortable about claiming cultural connection not mine to claim, but I never feel uncomfortable feeling an affinity to a landscape I wasn't born in.
I loved this. I'm sitting here in my Jock hat with the mock ginger hair and the pom-pom, wearing tartan and drinking whisky, the finest Scotch is a wee glen. D'ye ken? My Balmorality is thriving!
The first time I heard about balmorality was just a few days ago and I can only see it among some US citizens who claim to be Scottish (or Scotch) even though their feet have never trodden the local soil. It can be amusing (with great eyeroll potential) but I can understand the ire too. As a side note, Scotland has been a very welcoming and accepting place for me but I have been quite surprised at being called a new Scot several times. I mean really? No matter how long I am going to live here, there is no way I am going to be a Scot, just listen to my accent, lol
There ya go, get it off your chest. Well said, buddy. My g-grandmother was from Scotland, a town called Peterhead(not sure of the spelling). I never met her though. She died before I was born.
Ah, Scotland! How I wish to visit thee, though I have never worn the tartan nor pretend’d its belonging on the family crest. Wonderful poem and loved the word!