WILLIAM Hershaw's sonnet may not be a postscript to Flodden, but its sentiments of reconciliation with the southern neighbour are a timely reminder of values shared.
The Fife-based school teacher is a past winner of the McCash Scots Poetry Competition; here he writes in English.
AYE
Let go the blessed English to their shires,
Their meadows, downs, dog rose and misty turns,
Their ancient yews, rook-wracked and haunted spires -
Remember Wordsworth and his love for Burns.
Remember English heroes like Tom Paine,
Their honesty and fairness sorely won
Who scorned the yoke of Empire just the same.
Then mind the ghostly twelfth man at mid-on.
For ours was aye the enemy within -
It was not the docile English forged our woe:
Our lads o pairts, our very kith and kin,
With dominies and tawses taught us No.
A Calvinist heart is thrawn to forgive -
Let it all thaw - forgive, then love and live.
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