Identities

These days it is rare to find contemporary poetry as honest as this. Written in the Scots tongue, with confidence and power, is a Hamilton dialect interspersed with rich and descriptive North-east words. Indeed, it is language and expression that makes the heart and soul of septuagenarian George Hardie, tick. The poems here are sculpted from moments of poignancy, contemplations at the passing of time, with memories carved upon a host of locations. From wolves in Glasgow to herring gulls, from farm dogs to a drunk in the park, he’s seeking a cause for existence. The very essence may at times be dark or tinged with resignation, but more often shot through with a flash of humour. The closing poem sees him look beyond mortality to a final destination, over a peaceful sea.

Approachin Seivintie

In my mind’s ear I fancy I can hear
the grey wolf sea howl and snarl.
Syne, faintly see, ahint its faemin veil,
the shairp fanged skerry wait.

Sall the daurk angels
wha bide on constant watch
abune thon place o wrecks
grant passage thru?

Sall I be gien leave
ti chairt a new laid coorse
ootower a peacefu sea,
ti grund at last
on sum faur distant shore?

Or, sall I hear the selkie sing
and pree the savour
o her saut glisked mou
syne, hear the deid bell ring?

Bio: George Hardie was born in 1933 and educated at St. John’s Grammar and Hamilton Academy. He was one of the founding members of literary magazine Chapman in 1970. At one time heavily involved in politics, becoming the first SNP councillor in Hamilton. His involvement resulted in a long period of unemployment. Now retired from his work as a builder’s estimator, he lives in Winchester with his wife Veronica.