There's truth as well as humour in this monologue from Stephen Mulrine, who introduced the Wee Malkies to the public.
Also a playwright and Russian translator, former senior lecturer at Glasgow School of Art, and creative writing teacher at Glasgow University, he's included in 100 Favourite Scottish Poems To Read Out Loud (Luath Press, £7.99).
A GUDE BUKE
Ah like a gude buke
a buke's aw ye need
jis settle doon
hiv a right gude read.
Ay, a gude buke's rerr
it makes ye think
nuthin tae beat it
bar a gude drink.
Ah like a gude buke
opens yer mine
a gude companion
tae pass the time.
See me wi a buke, bit
in a bus ur a train
canny whack it
wee wurld i yir ain.
Ay, ah like a gude buke
widny deny it
dje know thon wan
noo – whit dje cry it?
Awright, pal, skip it
awright, keep the heid
howm ah tae know
yir tryin tae read?
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