Back from the graves from Kinsfolk (2021)

Back from the graves - Ronán P. Berry.m4a

Success is counted sweetest by Emily Dickinson

O Magnum Mysterium Sop 2

*Trigger warning - self harm*

I write often in Doric, which is a North-East dialect of Scots. There is a wealth of work in Doric that reaches far back into our history, but I tend to write in a more contemporary way. Doric is used in comedy, but never to talk about trauma or politics or modern issues. I want to bring the language I speak into the future, so I think it's important to create new work in Doric, exploring up to date themes and stories.

This poem was written on a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor. Jen Hadfield and William Letford were doing a reading that evening, poem about. One was about a hammer, and I don't remember what the other tool poem was about, because I was scribbling like a mad woman in my notebook. This poem is the result of that wee spark of inspiration.

Stanley By Jo Gilbert

This poem is nae my best poem but remains one of my favourites because it still makes me laugh. A rumination on the complexities of Scots language and its dialects, via the medium of the word 'pish'.

Pish By Jo Gilbert

This poem was originally written as a commission for a film shows at the first Across the Grain Festival. Wildbird had been filming in and around Aberdeenshire and wanted some spoken word to tie the scenes together.  This is my personal love letter to the North-East of Scotland.

Fa We Are By Jo Gilbert

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

Read by Jo Gilbert

#SolsticePause
#Stand

Success is counted sweetest by Emily Dickinson

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