The Tellin O't - Scots and English parallel

The Welcome - Scots and English

This was in the latest edition of Lallans magazine (July 2020). English translation on the left.

The Welcome

‘Pappa’ she yells,

running up to me,

jumping up and down

as I enter the house:

the wee lass, my granddaughter,

not yet three years old

but marvellously human

with a character all her own.

It’s been a while

since any other creature on this earth

showed such joy at my presence

and I should learn from her

to let folk matter to me

the way she does,

to be loving, and to show it.

Show it to my poems

as well: I’m glad to see you

I’m sure they will answer,

the ones I’ve fathered, mothered:

verses jumping up and down,

holding their arms out

when I ring the bell.