Scottish Poetry Selection
- Bubbles
In this poem by George Johnson the poet compares the soapy bubbles created by a child with the bubbles we all create in life - but which then burst.
Bubbles
We watch the bairns, wi' jaws blawn oot,
An' in ilk mou' an auld pipe-spoot
Tae haud the soapy streams;
We envy them their fun an' glee
As, free frae a' captivity,
The bubbles meet sunbeams
An' soar awa' up tae the sun,
The while the bairnies yell wi' fun
An' mak' a merry din;They're prood tae think ilk rainbow shade
Was pented withoot human aid
Whan pooin' soap-suds in;
An' oft I think, whan toddlin' doon
The road that leads tae Silent Toon,
We're jist a lot o' kids.
We're blawin' bubbles ilka day;
We watch them soar, an' sail away
Whaure'er the ither bids.Ilk globule shines in gaudy hue
An' means some ploy o' me an' you
Tae bring us place an' poo'er;
An' though we watch the bubble burst,
We mak' mair, bigger than the first,
An' keep it up ilk 'oor.
An' sae we pass life's wee bit day
An', till the thatch grows scant an' grey,
We're fu' o' discontent.We a' micht hae mair solid things
Than gaudy, transient soapy-rings
Wi' precious time misspent;
For discontent's a weary load
Whan traivellin' doon life's staney road
Wi' tired an' weary feet.
Let sweet contentment be yer gear -
That's what brings heaven richt doon here
An gi'es ye joy complete!Meaning of unusual words:
bairns=children
ilk=every
toddlin' doon=saunter down
poo'er=power
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
