Cherry Red Lips

This is my poem as to why Qatar should never have been allowed to host the World Cup . I’ve titled it Unwanted Guests and it’s dedicated the global LGBT football community I hope you enjoy it. Land Of No Rainbows You must not ever be yourselfyou have to understandwhen the ball hits the net we are told loud and cleardisplays of affection are bannedin a desert of fearsome have wealth beyond…

These are my thoughts on the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Liz Truss I hope you enjoy the read. A Stanza On Liz Truss Dizzy Lizzy has been busywrecking the UK economyas tax cuts for the billionairescondemns the poor to poverty © Gayle Smith 2022

Why Scotland Should Be Praying For A Westminster Wise Guy Who Thinks That He’s Nobody’s Clown

At the risk of upsetting some of my friends in both the SNP and wider yes movement I think we need to be cautious in the language we use regarding the current shambles engulfing the UK Conservative Government as they search for a replacement for Boris Johnson who at long last finally resigned as leader of the Conservative Party yesterday Though it should perhaps be noted he did not resign as…

In this poem which was written earlier this month I give my take on the events which are currently happening in Ukraine and why the British establishment’s support for Ukraine sounds both hypocritical and hollow when you consider their past colonial adventures closer to home adventures like the Highland Clearances and An Gorta Mor or I call it the great starvation I’ve given it the title Playbook…

A Decade In Tartan Tights And I’m Dolled Up For Blogging

Ten years ago last night I started this blog to create a space where I could voice my support for Scotland’s independence and also to provide a place in which I could tell my truth my way. In the past decade there have been a number of significant changes for both Scotland as a country and myself on a personal level and we now live in a very different country and indeed world than we did when I…

This poem was inspired by the award winning poet Finola Scott who recently wrote a poem on knitting and in doing so brought back a childhood memory which inspired me to write this effort which I’ve titled Mustard Jumpers I hope you enjoy the read. Mustard Jumpers I remember my mumweaving knitting needlescreating mustard jumpersand getting frustratedon a dropping a stitchballs of wool at her…

In this poem I look at the life of one of my earliest traditional music influences the late great Matt McGinn  I’ve titled it Street Songs, I hope you enjoy the read  You sang the street songsthat were part of my childhoodsinging of jeely pieces, snowballs, and red yo-yo’sScotland knows of their storiesbecause of the tales you toldwrapping words in the boldest red you could findyour vision of…

In this poem I look at the Geography of colonialism and the legacy of problems that it has left the developing world. Problems which are largely ignored by the western nations and especially the British establishment chattering classes whose predecessors caused more damage to these countries than any other nation of earth. It is for this reason I’ve given it the title First World Problems I hope…

As I look back on 2021 I think it’s safe to say that it wasn’t the year I or anyone else for that matter had hoped it would be and blogging took a bit of a back seat in my life as I tried as best I could to navigate my way round this dreadful pandemic As I look at my stats for the last 12 months I see that there has been a drop in numbers which I put down to two factors. The first of these was…

Like many friends from Scotland’s poetry community I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Brian Whittingham. I had known Brian since I first got involved in the poetry and spoken word scene in 1993 so to say his death as a bit of shock to me would be something of an understatement. In this poem I hope I have captured a flavour of a kind, intelligent man much of whose poetry reflected both…

In this poem which is my first post of the year I look at the impact of geography on both sectarianism and sexuality. I’ve titled it Glasgow Kiss at the suggestion of my good friend Paddy Callaghan. I hope you enjoy the read. Glasgow Kiss In Templeton StreetI threw in a coinand said a silent prayer . Geography matters in this part of town,where the Gallowgate and Bridgetonboth border the…

On the shortest day of the year I’ve written this poem the winter solstice which funnily enough I’ve given the title Solstice I hope you enjoy the read Solstice The darkest day brings hope light will return to our skies as we prepare for the mid winter feast to celebrate the solstice excited, children talk about Santaand the presents they requestedin the letters sent just after Halloween and…

In my remembrance day poem I remember not only those who fought for our freedom in war but also those poets, playwrights, and activists,  who continued their fight and honoured them in peacetime by campaigning for a kinder more equal society. This is my tribute to them and the role they played in winning the vision the services  fought for. I’ve titled it When The Bugle Calls I hope you enjoy the…

In this poem I look.at supporting Celtic in times of Covid and how it’s been very different from what we consider as our normal match say reality. I’ve titled it Post Match Analysis at the suggestion of my friend and fellow Celtic fan snd, poet and born and bred Baillieston bhoy Charlie Gracie. I hope you enjoy the read. Post Match Analysis Celtic scarf wrapped round her neck she has a spare one…

On National Coming Out Day I’m taking a trip back in time to the. winter of 1973 when I took my first real steps on a very long road. Coming Out. is a gradual process but when your a pre teen trans girl the hardest part of the process will be the day you come out to your mum. This is a day which you know you have face but nothing quite prepares you for. It is also a day when your mum has to admit…

The idea for this poem cane from Glasgow Zimbabwean Tawona Sithole who related the story one what we in Scotland or the UK refer to as The Victoria Falls at a poetry workshop he facilitated on behalf of Seeds Of Thought Spoken Word writing group. In this particular workshop Tawona got the participants of which I was very lucky to one to look at photographic images and see which one inspired us. I…

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since that awful attack on the Twin Towers. In this poem which I’ve titled Ashes Of Hope I finally offer my reflections on that day. I hope you find it a thought provoking read Ashes Of Hope They were part of New York you saw them dominate the skies in every T.V. show or movie set in the buzzing metropolitan multi cultural city that it was and remains it…