Marvellous collection of what used to be called 'dialect poetry', a term which Paulin thinks has 'the fragrance of a folk-museum' and which he extends to embrace all poets who - erotic, radical-democratic or whatever - oppose the sanitised 'normative' voice of the establishment. This ruined maid's lament gives the flavour: 'O I hae tint my rosy cheek / likewise my waste sae sma' / O wae gae by the sodger lown / the sodger did it a'.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments