P O ETRY A collection of poems written by tenants from Renfrewshire Council's Sheltered Housing complexes - Renfrewshire ...
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LO C K D O W N
P O E T RY
A collection of poems written by
tenants from Renfrewshire Council’s
Sheltered Housing complexes
L O C K D O W N
P O E T RY
We introduced our first ever Sheltered Housing Poetry
Competition during the recent ‘lockdown’, and we were
amazed by the quality of the 16 poems that were submitted.
So much so, that we felt they all deserved to be published!
We have therefore compiled all the poems into this booklet
which we are providing free to every tenant at our 10
sheltered complexes.
The quality of the poems was so high, that we had to invite
someone special to select the winner, and we were delighted
that Ayrshire author David MacLaughlan agreed to carry out
this task.
As well as publishing a number of books and being a regular
contributor to The Peoples Friend, David is perhaps better
known as ‘Francis Gay’, whose Sunday Post column is widely
read throughout Scotland and beyond.
On page 2, we have reproduced the letter David/Francis sent
once he had concluded the judging process…and you will see
from his letter who the winner and runners up were!
We hope you enjoy reading through this selection
of poems from our talented tenants.
—Your Sheltered Housing Team
1Hello,
I am guessing that most folk joined in the
competition for something fun to do—as a result,
I enjoyed every entry. I have judged a few
different writing competitions in the past and
they are frequently hard work. This one was a
pleasure. Thank you all.
Some of the entries showed more poetic ability than others, but some
showed more heart than others. Depending on the subject, either heart
or technique can carry the day. And I hope the winners reflect this.
In third place, I chose Raymond Shanks’ ‘Lockdown’. Raymond talked
about his difficult situation with a raw honesty that touched my heart.
And, yet, he still ended on an appreciative, thankful, note. Well done,
Raymond! All the best!
In second place, well... I wanted to include Harry Birrell and Maria Birrell
for different reasons. Harry seems to me to be a born poet, but Maria’s
entry had an elegant beauty. And, besides, I couldn’t bear to cause any
marital strive by placing one higher than another So, Maria and Harry
take well-deserved joint second places for ‘Oor Big Corona Message Boy’
and ‘Covid-19’.
And first place... will be revealed after the break! I just always wanted to
say that! First place, for its joi-de-vivre, for its simple joy, goes to May
McGee for ‘Before The Lockdown It Was A Must’. Congratulations, May!
My thanks also go to Jean, Isobel, Esther, Dorothy, Julie, Annie, Ronnie,
Bob, and Josephine. Any time you want to do this again—count me in!
Hopefully, we can meet in person soon. Until then, stay safe.
Love to you all!
David / Francis
2Contents
Esther Gilchrist 4
Josephine Coyle 5
Julie Anderson 6
Bob McGeorge 7
Dorothy Graham 8
Jean Sommerville 9
Sally Logan 10
Annie Quinn and Ronnie Sinclair 11
Raymond Shanks 12
Maria Birrell 13
Harry Birrell 14
May McGee 16
3Lockdown is a new word to me
Lockdown is talking to family and friends through the window
Lockdown is having afternoon tea and a chat inside and friends outside
Lockdown is clapping Thursday’s at eight, clapping is GREAT
Lockdown is thanking all who help and care
Lockdown weather has been fine that brings a smile to your face and mine
Let us hope that we shall soon be unlocking Lockdown
Esther Gilchrist
Speirsfield Gardens
4It was called Locked Down
Think I’ve made it Locked Up
I’ve been in this flat for a few weeks now
Hardly seeing a soul
Anywhere anyhow
People bring me shopping
And we have an elbow tap
I’m dozing in the morning
And have an afternoon nap
I’ve got hand sanitizer
And a mask for my face
Though it’s home-made
And the material is lace
Going to de-clutter soon
Still waiting for that blue moon
I can’t wait to see my family
Once they are allowed in
We’ll still be social distancing
But we can do it with Gin
Cheers
Josephine Coyle
Springbank Complex
5Lockdown at Monkdyke
We read, we knit and we are cooks
Keeping fit to look after our looks
We bake cakes, by the dozen
Eat them straight from the oven
—But—
When this virus is over
We won’t be in clover
After all those cakes and dinners
We will all be back at Scottish Slimmers
Julie Anderson
Mondyke House
6Abdul ben Quasus
The great Arab Sheik
Lived by a lovely oasis
Abdul knew all things
‘Though seldom did speak
Does he know where I left my braces?
Bob McGeorge
Springbank Complex
7Lockdown, Lockdown
Everyone in lockdown
When In lockdown,
Don’t look down
Lockdown, Lockdown
Everyone in lockdown
When in lockdown
Don’t be down
Lockdown, Lockdown
Everyone in lockdown
When in lockdown
Just wait for the ‘rebound’
Dorothy Graham
Speirsfield Gardens
8Shut down or shut in
Whatever you want to call it
I am mostly in
Keep me busy with quizzes and fun
That will keep me busy when I cannot run
Walk about the house you see
Keeps me busy as a bee
A daily walk, once a day
Once a week we clap and shout hooray
Lockdown has its up and downs
For the NHS who are busy too,
Because of the weather
Taking care of those who have a type of flu
We had less downs
What a to do TV is all repeats
Go for a walk once a day
That makes me fall asleep
And sit and chat two meters apart
Washing done once a week
Fire alarm beep beep beep
So many surprises along the way
So that’s my story up to date
Fish & chips, ice cream made our day
Better post this before it’s too late
So thankful for the goodies delivered to our door
by Morrisons, Jane & Sally and others too
Made us grateful for all they do
Made some rainbows for Morrisons too
To cheer the staff and others too
Quizzes once a week to keep us going
Some were hard going
Exercise once a day
Keeps us fit for the day, by Sally herself
Face to face we had a chat
So grateful to Ross for all of that
This is my poem could say more
But will leave it at that
So the end of my chat
Jean Sommerville
Springbank Complex
9COVID-19
Covid has come and it will go
But for most of us its far too slow
I know its hard to stay inside
When the sun is oot and shining so bright
But we are all in together and doing our bit
Especially the NHS and frontline crew keeping us fit
We are all missing our friends and family too
But anyone can catch COVID this much is true
Stay at home is the motto, so lets all take heed
Or for some of you that wont could end up deed
So sit tight, be safe, it wont be long
For us all to get together and have a wee song
Sally Logan
Health and Wellbeing Coordinator
10The lockdown is a pain
It fills your heart with rain
And not to take the strain
Together we remain
Safe and sound with no pain
And we will gain
So for now till we meet again
Annie Quinn and Ronnie Sinclair
Fulbar Court
11Lockdown
I’ve been in lockdown for over 60 days
I’m not allowed out, I’m vulnerable they say
This horrible virus is taking its toll
But I’ve got to stay in to save my soul
It’s just me, my house and these four walls
I’m lucky I’ve a phone, so it’s family I call
They make me laugh, but sometimes I cry
I’m glad I’ve got them to help me get by
I sit in the garden with neighbours and friends
Social distancing and chat to stop me going around the bend
But in the house, I sit and think why
Did all those poor people have to die
I know it won’t be long till we’re out and about
When lockdown is over, Hooray we will shout
This virus doesn’t care if you’re poor or have wealth
We’re told to stay in for our own health
For all who have died, we send all our love
They are now all Angels looking down from above
Raymond Shanks
Altpatrick Gardens
12Covid–19
Hiding away from the virus
Hiding away from life
Forced to isolate with
My struggle and strife
Every day the same
But we’ve got to play the game
Thank god for technology
It really keeps us sane
There is a good day coming
We must remember that
An end to all this suffering
And thank the lord for that
Maria Birrell
Fulbar Court
13A Wee Corona Selection by Harry The Ful-Bard
A Corona Collection 2020
Last night I saw a wee black spider
Climbing up oor Wa’
A asked it wiz this virus affectin’ him ‘N A’
Off course it is! He replied
It affects creatures big ‘N Sma’
And by the look O ‘You’
Am no the only wan that’s been climbin up your Wa’
Am A Pandemic Academic
Am A Pandemic Academic
Am Studyin’ at hame
And if A don’t become a genius Ma grannies teachin social skills
Then A’ll tell Yi’ who’s tae blame She once was a social climber
But the auld dear’s no dae’n much climbin’ noo
Ma faithur’s teachin’ Arithmetic Because she’s goat “Alzheimer’s”
And he’s a right auld scunner!
He thinks that he is qualified Then there’s ma uncle Jimmie
‘Cos he wiz a bookies runner He’s teachin’ me fine art
So that makes me an artist noo!?
But the only thing he every drew
Wiz his Monet fae “The Broo”
“Wish me luck”
Harry Birrell
Fulbar Court
14Oor Big Corona Message Boy
We’ve got a big Corona message boy
He comes right tae oor door!
He keeps a social distance tho! 2 meters! Sometimes more
He brings us everything we ask fur jist like Santa Claus
He’s jist the best big message boy that there ever was
Weeell!!! That is since a wiz a message boy masel!
A had a grocer’s bike that had a dodgy pedal
Wi’ a big basket on the front that sometimes carried hens!
But that’s no good enough fur him!
He’s got a Mercedes Benz
‘Rools Is Rools’
Everybody needs a haircut
Naebody’s gon doon the pub
If yir p’d off wi’ this virus
LOG IN ‘n jine the club “Remember to be hygenic”!!
No matter how you receive this advice
“Stay home” “Stay safe” Be it poetry or prose
That’s the order O’ the day ALWAYS wash your hands
Yi’ kin eat ‘n drink tae yir herts kintent BEFORE you pick your nose
But yi’ cannae go oot to play And while you wash your hands
Sing for 20 seconds this instruction sometimes varies
I think it’s 2 “Happy Birthdays” then add on 4 “Hail Mary’s”?
Remember “Rools is Rools”
We’re A’ in this “the gither”
Unless! yir Domenic Whitz his name
Don’t go tae see yir mither
15Before the lockdown it was a must
To get a ride on Sally’s bus
The walkers had it on a Thursday
And used it to go to parks and outside places
Get fresh air and sun on our faces
We have a lovely carer who looks after us and does so
Without any fuss
It’s been a good day but it’s time to go home
It’s a long time since I walked the West Highland Way
I hoped to do it again some day
I’m 90 now, know it won’t be
So I’ll count my blessings and have some tea
May McGee
Speirsfield Gardens
16We would like to thank everyone who participated
and took the time to write and send in their poetry.
The talent displayed was quite outstanding.
We hope you enjoyed reading these poems as much
as we did—and you consider submitting an entry
when we run the next competition!
We look forward to being able to host a small
Awards ceremony to celebrate for the participants.
This will be arranged in the coming months.
In the meantime, keep writing!
—From Serena, June, Iona, Ross, Catherine, Sally,
Jane, Michelle, Alison, Sandra, Karen, Kerri, Louise,
Linda, Carol and Suzanne
17You can also read
