Essential – Makar’s poetic tribute to the front line
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SCOTLAND'S national poet has issued a "huge, big, thank you" to essential workers through verse.
Makar Jackie Kay wrote the poem, "Essential", to show gratitude to chemists, volunteers, carers, supermarket staff, delivery workers, foodbanks, and all those on the front line for their efforts during the coronavirus outbreak.
Kay was made Scots Makar, the national poet laureate, in 2016 for a five-year term.
The remit is to advance the role of poetry in the lives of Scotland's people, from all ages and walks of life.
A video of the Makar reading the poem has been broadcast by the Scottish Government on social media today.
ESSENTIAL
Up, doon, the length of our land –
Aberfeldy, Ardnamurchan –
There’s uplift, sharing; pass the baton!
A frontline forming, hand to fierce hand.
Shopfront workers, doon the aisle;
New-era queues metres apart.
The chemist’s prescription warms the heart.
Delivery folk vanish, ghost a smile.
Volunteers at the local food bank…
Shy half-moon in a clear Scots’ sky.
We leave with tins, groceries, goodbyes…
Clap in the gloaming when we say our Thanks.
And the sky greets with stars
And the bold birds sing
As we clink in our links in the Kindness line;
Holding absent hands for Auld Lang Syne.
