Scots poem of the month - October 2006

Come Nicht Little Sir Ego ups an’ craws, monarch o the midden. Tod shairpens claws. Whitna need o bidin hidden whan sic a gowk skreichs tentless din an’ prinks amang its blether? Come nicht there’s nocht but Reynard’s grin and a surly driftin feather. By Raymond Vettese, from Fras [No.] 3, 2005 Poem supplied courtesy of the Scottish Poetry Library

About the poet Raymond Vettese was born in Arbroath in 1950. He has been a barman, a process worker, a librarian, a teacher, a William Soutar Fellow and is now a library assistant. His first book, The Richt Noise, (1988) won the Saltire Society Best First Book Award.  His second book was A Keen New Air (1995) and his third book is in manuscript. Raymond lives in Montrose with his wife, Maureen.

If you have enjoyed this poem, you can borrow a range of poetry from the Scottish Poetry Library, who also lend by post. Telephone 0131 557 2876 or email reception@spl.org.uk. For an online catalogue, poetry events listings and more featured poems, please visit the Scottish Poetry Library website.