GLASGOW'S new poet laureate is Jim Carruth.

He generally writes in English but won the 2009 McCash Scots Poetry Competition, run jointly by The Herald and Glasgow University, with this poignant tribute in Scots to the land and those who work it. The theme was Homecoming.

HAME TONGUE

Beltane fire sproots frae oor Fergie tractor

As it pleuchs lines ablow the gull rabble.

It will saison aw the raiks o Renfrewshire

Workin the auld leid o seed and stubble,

A constant diesel muse; while we harra

The guid grun, shake dialect frae the shaw,

Gaither bushels o wirds frae ivverie furrow,

Steck em in the barn as turses o straw.

Athort the law a flock o blackface yowes

Pairt sweet phrases o cock's-foot an fescue

Wi the Friesian coos ower on the knowes;

Bit oor prood kintra tongues mean naucht to you

Fir ye hiv turnt awa sae fail to see

Fields o warkin beauty an their poetry