Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
As relayed in the poem Poisonous Pathogen, in lockdown I'm revisiting the literary conduit of poetry. In this case with a revamped sonnet in tribute of my paternal and maternal grandfathers. Two men whose jocularity fuelled my penchant of seeking a quip out of the most challenging of circumstances. Legacy “I was in Bagdad when you... Continue Reading →
It's rare I dabble in the genre of poetry writing. I spent some of the summer of 2017 penning around 50 odd sonnets, but stopped when concluding the old school prose style I adopted when chronicling these verses was too self-indulgent for widespread appeal, Under these COVID-19 times, though, this evening I felt moved to... Continue Reading →
It's a few years since I've penned a sonnet. However, in the isolation of a West Yorkshire dining room, this evening I felt moved to quill prose about the prevailing shenanigans surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic:- SONNET TO COVID Indiscriminate pathogen, agenda stark Rendering us hermits, unless we roam park Enough already, you’ve made toxic mark Existence... Continue Reading →
25th January 2020 - Today sees Scots around the world marking the birthday of 18th century Caledonian poet and lyricist Rabbie (Robert) Burns. Incorporated within these global Burns Night celebrations revellers will feast on haggis, neeps and tatties; along with partaking in a wee dram to toast the national poet of Scotland. In some cases,... Continue Reading →
A couple of years back, in an attempt to increase the versatility of my work, I set myself a challenge of penning poetry, as an aside to my daily blog. Deliberately quilled in an enigmatic, cryptic and pretentious style, these sonnets provoked the reader into their own challenge of unravelling the meaning of the locutions.... Continue Reading →
25th January 2019 - Today sees Scots around the world marking the birthday of 18th century Caledonian poet and lyricist Rabbie (Robert) Burns. Incorporated within these global Burns Night celebrations revellers will feast on haggis, neeps and tatties; along with partaking in a wee dram to toast the national poet of Scotland. In some cases,... Continue Reading →
Around eighteen months ago I dabbled at extending my literary boundaries by trying my hand at writing poetry. All very pompous and tongue in cheek stuff, delivered in an olde worlde style, some of which can be found on my website writesaidfred.org under the menu title of 'Pretentious Prose'. https://strachan.blog/2017/06/24/pretentious-prose/ These pieces of work were... Continue Reading →
Departed Loiner’s final glass vessel; merlot bereft In smithereens; akin to spirits of those left behind Fragmented for regeneration; successor yet untold Like Loiner, vessel existentially intact two months prior Their chance meeting short, though physically & spiritually fruitful Distressingly, House of York affiliate’s hindmost drop of fermented grape Empty merlot vessel bereft... Continue Reading →
Triggers abound; blindsiding brood Culprits melancholic refrain, aroma, vino, cuisine Messages present on device; though hearken avoided Sobbing avoidance key for offspring of taken Tears for departed patriarch not an option Resistance to avoid exhibiting fragility his lad’s focus. Triggers ad infinitum; their sporadic existence surety Though no surety of coping strategy to employ Has... Continue Reading →