Christmas in a Glesga Flat
Glaswegian take on the Holiday Reflections in Verse Challenge
ah'm no fir the forced familial festivities
an' crazy coercive controlled consumerism
that this hallowed time ae year brings
ah'm no one fir Christmas—tho'
ah do remember a time, tho',
when ah celebrated the season ae goodwill,
when December an' Christmas wis full,
ae love an' laughter—joy an' joviality
gathering at mah Grannies' hoose
Nonna, tae me, mah siblings an' cousins
Mamma, tae hur wains
#
when the warmth helped soothe
oor war wounds from
the ever-changing beyond hur doar
hur Glasgow tenement flat
#
a vibrant variety
ae delicious diversity
a cultural melting pot
ae pasta, potato
roast chicken, cheese an' Christmas
#
touches ae affection, hugs galore
double cheek kisses—one-two Italian
sights ae the plentiful spread
oan the table an' the smiles roon it
sounds ae sharing time together
crackers crackle, tinsel sparkle
smells ae strong coffee brewing
boxes ae wine, tomato sugo
tastes ae rural Italy
in a Glesga Suburb
#
ae the marriage
ae history—heritage
those days ar gone—unrepeatable
but forever locked safely
in a special place in mah mind an' heart
incorruptible by the powers an' effects ae time
nostalgia though 'hings may be,
or jus' strong an' emotive—the memory
takes me back tae a time an' place
when ah truly felt content an' safe.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: In comparison to my other entry, this is a more straightforward and upbeat take on the Holiday Reflections in Verse Challenge, inspired by my memories of Christmas as my Nonnas, when I did celebrate. I thought it would sound nice with a slight Glaswegian accent to it all.
Here are some other things:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Comments (49)
Congratulations on placing for this, Paul! I loved the poem as well as the accent, which breathed such life into this! :)
Oh man, I am sorry I missed this. It is a joy to read. Especially as it reminds me of listening to my Grandad. Fab that you used Scottish language/accent. Congratulations!
Brilliant and beautifully put in Glaswegian. Congrats on your splendid win. So good to see your name among the stars.
They way you used your words reminds me of old English. Congrats!
🤩 Paul does it again!!! Congrats buddy!!! Very well deserved!!!
This is very well done! Thank you!
Congratulations on placing, Paul. What a merry, merry Christmas this is!
Congratulations, my friend! Wow, what a killer piece :)
Congratulations, matey mate!!
Well done and well deserved prize, Paul. Congratulations!
Congratulations Paul Stewart second prize winner. Long time coming. 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
Congratualtion on second place , well done
Way 2 go Paul! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 So glad that your outstanding effort & talent are being recognized! Happy Holidays!
Well that was incredibly good! Reading Scottish dialect is even harder than hearing it XD Congrats on your spectacular poem Paul! I love how you comment on the hyper-consumerism of it! I remember when I was a kid, it was somehow both more and less. Like, decorations were everywhere from what I recall, but now those have gone away and been replaced with... filthy capitalism. It's not as much fun, but then again maybe I'm just getting old. I'm proud and honoured to share the winners' circle with you for this amazing Poem Paul! It was brilliant!
Congrats Paul! Beautiful poem, well deserved win.
Well, I thought I'd left a like and a comment on this, but there I go thinkin' again. A beautiful, nostalgic piece and a well-deservewd placement, my friend. Well done!
Congratulations, Paul!! Glad this wonderful piece stood out to the judges just as it did for me!! A very well deserved win!! I know you don’t celebrate these days, but Merry Christmas, friend!! And cheers! 🍻
You took us there!
One thing for sure, at least SEEING the accent written gives me more time to figure out what's been said...cuz in real time...NO CHANCE! 😂 Your Glaswegian put Glasgow on the Vocal Media map. Methinks the city might owe you a parade. Or cash. Or perks. Or all three. Congrats with hats Paul!
Congratulations Paul, well deserved. Your words and references invoked vivid images and cherished memories. ❤️
You’re such a force to be reckoned with Paul considering how deep your writing well goes. Congratulations 🎊 on your success
Finally, a face I recognize in the winner's circle. Congrats Paul, there is hope yet for others who have long waited. Love the tone of it all.
Heyy imagine my delight to see your name & face on the Challenges page! This is so alive with character, not just due to the accent, but the POV as well. Fantastic and well-deserved win, Paul :)
Ahhhhhhhh Ayy ohh the king returns! Congrats my friend
Fantastic!!! Yeah!!! Congratulations on the 2nd place win!!!❤️❤️💕