Rhymes, Rants an' Reekin’ of Pish

Rhymes, Rants an' Reekin' of Pish

Robert Burns looked at the Scotland of his day and wrote what he saw — with wit, fury, tenderness and a tongue that spared nobody. Mark Winters does the same for modern Ayrshire. Rhymes, Rants an' Reekin' of Pish is a bold, funny and bracingly honest collection of modern poetry written in the Burnsian dialect — the language of Ayrshire, the language of Burns, turned on the absurdities, injustices and everyday glories of contemporary Scottish life.

About This Collection

From the schemes to the supermarkets, from the pub to the parliament, from the mundane to the magnificent, these poems take the dialect and spirit of Robert Burns and apply them to a world the great bard never saw — but would almost certainly have had something to say about. Sharp, irreverent, rooted in place and alive with the rhythms of spoken Scots, this is poetry that demands to be read aloud.

Whether you are a lifelong lover of Burns, a proud Ayrshireman or woman, or simply someone who appreciates poetry that tells the truth without flinching, Rhymes, Rants an' Reekin' of Pish will make you laugh, wince and nod in recognition — sometimes all at once.

What Makes This Collection Distinctive

• Original poetry written in authentic Burnsian Scots dialect
• Rooted in the landscape, culture and character of Ayrshire
• A modern voice channelling the spirit and wit of Robert Burns
• Poems that range from sharp political commentary to warm human observation
• Accessible, vivid and alive with the rhythms of spoken Scots
• A celebration of Scottish language, identity and irreverence

In the Tradition of Burns

Robert Burns used poetry as a weapon, a mirror and a love letter to Scotland. Rhymes, Rants an' Reekin' of Pish carries that tradition forward — with the same refusal to be polite, the same eye for the ridiculous and the same deep affection for the people and places of Ayrshire that made Burns immortal.

Ideal For Readers Interested In

• Scottish poetry and the Burnsian tradition
• Robert Burns and Scots dialect literature
• Ayrshire culture and identity
• Contemporary Scottish writing
• Poetry with wit, bite and a strong sense of place