Goodbye Eddie

The sad news has arrived that Edwin Morgan, the Scots Makar, died today, of pneumonia, aged 90.

I only met Eddie once but he seemed such a genuine and warm guy who had time for anyone. His work has been an inspiration to people all over the world and he has shaped Scottish poetry for generations past and will for many years to come. On a personal level, Morgan and his work are a considerable part of my life. Not only has his poetry inspired my own poetry but I have dedicated years of my life to researching his work as part of my PhD. I know he's been just as important and indeed more-so for many more people out there.

He will be sorely missed but in true Morgan style I think it's important to look at all the great optimism he had in life and to keep it going.

"It's hard to go, let's go"


Knowing he's been seriously ill for some time, I'd written a tribute poem (if I can call it that) about the impact this news would have, as pasted below.

Bye bye Eddie

Big fat sell out

Having stolen the last few copies of my chapbook, The Last Refuge, from a local charity and sold them to unsuspecting likers of poetry, the first edition is officially a SELL OUT.

If you don't have a copy then you probably have some kind of mental disorder and your life is definitely ruined. Perhaps you can use it as testimony for your insanity plea when you inevitably end up in court on drunk and disorderly and/or public nudity charges.

Perhaps the publishers will print another edition, you may yet have something worth living for. Do not give up hope whilst you're sat shivering in a pool of your own excrement.

In other news: icecream is nice, have you tried it?


Russell Jones

Me hearties - more pirate blethers

NEW
I've been asked back to Captains Bar for one last reading on 21st August. Come sit on my lap.


----


Scrub my palms with a rusty razor, batter the matches and  prepare the parrot for the high breeze, I'm giving two readings at Captains bar, including the children's favourite, "Farmers and Pirates"

If you're not a lollylagging wang lugger then head on over and hear me call

8th and 9th of August

Captains Bar, 4 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA, www.CaptainsEdinburgh.webs.com



Russell Jones