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Poems and Thoughts by Frank Maurer

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Scotland

Dialects opus 47

Are we really so different--creature and human?
We laugh at or admire the Scottish dialect.
We diminish or romanticize the Southern dialect.
We swoon or feel inferior to the English dialect.

How do we react to the dialects uttering the danger calls of Prairie Dogs?
How do we evaluate the evening chorus of the Red-winged Black birds--
Vocalizing with differing dialects among flocks habitating the East or the West?

Differing dialects; differing tones; different speed of utterance;
Our Reptilian Brain crys: "Us and them".
Even our vocalizations delimit us
Just like "those creatures"!

Robert Burns, the Day after His Birthday opus 83

Robert Burns, the great Scottish Poet.
His birthday was yesterday and I almost forgot--25 January 1759.
So sad, I would momentarily forget a fellow Scot.
But what a rush, when I suddenly recalled.
Of course he wrote beautiful love poems.
Such as 'My Luve is like a Red Red Rose;
But do you realize he wrote an ode to George Washington?
This, of course, was during the British/American Revolution!
('Could have been in great trouble.)
He also wrote another, praising the French Revolution!
('Again, potential trouble.)
Of course, there's too, the ode To a Mouse and Address to the Haggis.

Goodness, how could I have ever forgot--even for a moment--
Such an important, creative and vital poet?

Two Declarations for Freedom opus 174

As most of us are aware, T. Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence.
But from where did he ferret out his material?
He used several old documents, including the Magna Carta
and the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath of 1320.
The latter was an attempt by the Scots to demonstrate to Pope John XXII of France
That Scotland was a 'pedigreed' nation, wishing to be free of the English yoke.
(B. Franklin gently chided Jefferson as to, 'Why he used so many old documents?'.
Jefferson replied, 'Well they worked, didn't they?'.)

One can peruse the two documents, side by side, and compare a logical sequence.
There is a point of conflict and need for protection in both:
'He (George III of Britain) has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us,
And has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers,
The merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare,
Is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.'

A bit more distant, but still with the same sort of conflict in mind,
The Scots are bargaining with the Pope for recognition,
By volunteering for a next Crusade against the Muslims (ie., the heathens).
Both documents declare the need for quelling heathens or savages for various reasons :
'This truly concerns you, Holy Father, since you see the savagery of the heathen raging
Against the Christians,. . . and the frontiers of Christendom being pressed inward every day.'

In today's world one sees anti-Muslim retoric in the one, and anti-Native American in the other.
Today, both statements are 'uncomfortable' in a world attempting tolerance,
But in the reality of those past times, when things were more 'black and white',
Statements were bold and crisp and 'self-evident'!

(Do remember, though, Roger Williams' friendship with the native people,
And the eventual founding of Rhode Island,
As well as the founding of Pennsylvania with William Penn's attempts to be peaceable and fair;
Leading to the State of Penn--sylvania--'Penn's Woods'!)

Darian vs Darien / Any Connections? opus 198

I have always admired the name Darian.
When I meet someone named such,
I often ask if they understand its history or its meaning.
My Scottish ancestry, back to MacAlpin,
One of the first kings of that land (843 AD),
Reminds me of the Scottish attempt at a trading company (1697),
To emulate the English Hudson's Bay Trading Company.
Two attempts were made to establish their company
In Darien, now on the border of Panama and Colombia.
The name was Hispanicized from the Tanela River,
Called such by the Cueva people, an indigenous tribe
Destroyed by the conquistadors during the 16th century.
As a result of the hardships of the area, the unfriendly natives,
And mostly the Spanish, who controlled the area,
The whole experiment failed,
Along with the loss of a third of the Scottish GNP.

Today we hear of the migrants from the southern areas,
Walking north and confronting the Darien Gap,
A 66 mile wilderness swamp and forest,
Through which there is no Pacific Highway,
Only trails and purposely left open as a valuable wildlife sanctuary.
Many travellers have died, attempting to cross this challenging territory.
So, history repeats itself with the Darien area,
Blocking the Scottish attempt at colonization
And now the northern-bound migrants.

But what of the name Darian? Used by the English,
And perhaps first used by the Persians (and Iranians),
Meaning 'Upholder of the Good'--also 'Wealthy' and/or 'Kingly',
Continuing, the present name, Darian, is now seldom used,
And those I question, rarely know its derivation.
But from the early Persian times, to 1697,
To today's migrants traversing the challenging Gap,
It has shown itself throughout history with several manifestations.
Also, one must wonder if there is possibly
A more ancient linguistic connection!

Memories Elicited from a Folded Sarong opus 332

Looking at a pile of folded cloth items,
I spied a sarong, purchased 45 years ago on my travels through Bali.
A batiked cotton, formed in the shape of a huge tube.
One slipped into this giant tube and with proper folding,
Reduced it down to a tight and snuggly fit around the waist.
Cool, comfortable, stylish men's apparel,
Sort of reminding me of the much shortened
Roman military toga worn by the soldiers of Caesar's time,
Or the Scottish Great Kilt, pleated while lying on the ground,
And, then by lying atop, the potential wearer folded it over the body,
Tied it with a line at the waist,
And stood to brush off the adhering bits of vegetation.

My modern kilts continually await my swinging them on to delight the onlookers!

The Scottish Bank opus 349

Every time I go into a bank, I remember an experience in Scotland.
When Scotland was forced (1770) to join England--the new 'Britain'--
They were allowed to maintain their healthcare,
Educational system, and print their own currency.
The English were always very 'particular' about receiving Scottish notes
And often shamed people who used them in England.
A father, sending his child off to school in England
Was meticulous to make sure all the accompanying notes
Were English to avoid embarrassment and delays.

On that 'note', I shall continue to relate my tale.
In a small town in Scotland,
I needed to exchange my Traveler's Checks for notes.
Britain uses both notes, theoretically, as completely equivalent.
As the teller was counting out my 'pound-refund',
I watched carefully if she would mix the notes--English and Scottish.
Sure enough, the mixed pile built up and at that point,
I called out loudly, "No, please, I want only Scottish notes!"
Banking progress ceased for a moment and my surrounding patrons
Immediately understood that this 'foreigner'
Understood their historic humiliation.
There were smiles and nods in my direction, conveying their gratitude!
I left the bank, fulfilled that I had made
A small positive mark on an oppressed people.

My Scottish Connection opus 416

After discovering my Scottish origins and connections,
I have worn a kilt (or tartan) for many years.
From my Pennsylvania MacCalums, to the Stewarts, etc,
To 'way back to Kenneth MacAlpin, a first king of Alba.
Before donning my tartan, I was obliged to do some research.
I discovered there were tartans for families and clans
And, additionally, for districts, states, provinces,
Highway patrols (eg California), to celebrate centennials,
As well as generic tartans, worn by anyone with no Scottish connection!
One also has the choice of the historical great kilt,
Or the modern tartan, designed by an Englishman!

The history is massive and totally intriguing (and tragic),
So I will conclude with Tartan Day, commemorating Scots.
In Canada and the United States, the chosen date for Tartan Day is 6 April,
Honoring 6 April 1320, when Robert the Bruce and his nobles
Signed and sent their Declaration of Arbroath to the French (!) Pope,
Asking for the recognition of Scotland as a nation and to be free from England.
Among several documents, Thomas Jefferson used the Scottish Declaration
As a model for the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

During one of my Scottish visits, a young land reform activist remarked to me,
"The wearing of the kilt is a symbol of historical,
Cultural resistance and contemporary cultural regeneration."

Suas Alba! (Alipa) Up Scotland!

Alex Salmond (Former Scottish Prime Minister) opus 442

So many around me are passing on their mortal coil.
This, of course, is because of my age of 83.
I just learned of the passing of Scottish Alex Salmond, 69,
Who fought politically so fervently for Scottish Independence.
I met Alex in San Francisco, while he reached out to California
To increase Scottish trade with the world's 6th largest economic entity.
Alex loved horse racing, so our meeting occurred at a Bay Area race track--
Including kilts, talk of Scottish history, scotch,
And a display of my hand-carved stones.
There, I made a presentation of a small stone carving,
Depicting a knot overlaid by the Scottish thistle.

Days later, Upon Salmond's return to Scotland,
I received a wonderful, much treasured thank you note, from Alex,
Expressing his warm thanks, praising my ancient carving methods.
Alex Salmond will truly be a part of Scotland's continual attempts
To be once again an independent nation-state,
And I am so proud to have known him.

A Scottish Influence opus 457

Early America fought a Revolution against Britain--England and Scotland.
To address the royalty of England, one said, 'Your Majesty',
Yielding the power to the royal figure,
While addressing Scottish royalty, one said, 'My Liege',
Reminding the royal that the power was to serve and protect the subject.
This latter tradition derived from the clan system,
Where the chief was responsible for his people.
Whether or not it was conscience in the Founders' minds,
The final decision to have a President or a King,
Most likely was a result of the Scottish mindset and influence,
Where the President was to serve the people,
And not have power over them--
Yes, to serve the country and its people,
Through the ultimate power--that of the Constitution.
Even in these tumultuous times, most desire this tradition to maintain.

My Ode to the Haggis opus 471

For many, 25 January is an important and meaningful date,
As it is the birthday of the great Scottish poet and lyricist,
Robert Burns (1759-1796).
He wrote Jeanie With the Light brown Hair, Auld Lang Syne,
An Ode to Washington, while his own country
Was fighting the new rebellious America,
As well as later, an Ode to the Freedom Tree
During the French Revolution--
This, while his country was opposing France!
A daring and romantic poet, taking many risks.
But on the lighter side, he playfully wrote the Ode to the Haggis.
Just what is Haggis, the 'national dish' of Scotland?
All cultures, being unwasteful of needed food,
Combined those animal parts, for us, sort of on the margin.
Wurst of the Germanics, Wieners (hot dogs) of North America,
And, of course, Mexican Menudo and Buche, both with small intestine,
And Haggis of Scotland--lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas and so forth;
These traditional items combined are called the offal,
Collected by mainly amputating the esophagus
And pulling out all the attached organs thereto,
Then adding in those other goodies, such as kidneys and liver.
This mixture is diced, adding rolled oats, stuffed into a sheep's stomach,
(Remember, weiner material was stuffed into small intestines)
And baked to perfection--only combined taters and nips and Scotch are needed
To finalize the tasty combination--
So unwasteful and delicious, mated with the alcohol.

Just for fun, since I will be alone for Thanksgiving,
I have ordered canned Haggis to arrive soon,
Which I will combine with my purchased turnips and potatoes.
A half bottle of real Scotch awaits, sent to me last year by an old friend.
Quietly, alone, but not, I shall commune with Rabbie anticipating his birthday.

Email to Doris, a Former German Farm Student Intern opus 473

Hello! Yes Ceilidh (Kay-lee). I knew right away what you meant.
You mean to say you were in Edinburgh and didn't just try Haggis?
Of course the English have a superior attitude towards the Scots--
(Just read a Scottish history which I find very demeaning and angering).
It is no mystery that they put their noses up concerning Haggis.
(I explain its contents in my latest poems.)
(I do understand why a vegetarian would balk at Haggis,
But no excuses, a vegetarian version does exist.)
Haggis has a nice, different taste and with Taters and Nips
And good Scotch (technically not whiskey), it is delicious.
All cultures, generally, have a way to consume more 'marginal' types of meat--
Just consider your Wurst and North American 'hotdogs'.
As with Mexican menudo (soup with intestines) and buche
(Fried intestine, often found in burritos, substituting lengua or carne),
I delight in the multiple textures and tastes which all this gives our palates!
I always have and always will continually experiment in all things reasonable.
No one has ever caught me complaining about any food (not including
monkey brain!!!)
That is why a cook loves to produce for me--no complaints. (Suggestions, yes.)

Well, once again you have been a catalyst for another verbal roll.
Canned Haggis just arrived in the mail, ready for Thanksgiving--
(Here, Thanksgiving is always on the last Thursday in November).

Be lovely and well, Frank.

Scotexican Food Mix Proposal! opus 479

I was experimenting several ways
To combine Haggis with various vegetables.
One morning, just after Thanksgiving,
I combined cubes of turnips with the Scottish meat dish--
Juxtaposed and completely combined as a one food entity.
This, of course, was not very revolutionary.

Jessie, my Mexican-American wonderful farm helper,
Arrived for work that day, so I tried the combination on him.
We chatted about various other Mexican combinations using Haggis
With, say, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions,
And even avocado and pineapple with potatoes
To create a blend of the Scottish meat mix
With a very Mexican vegetable cuisine--
And Eureka! We invented the newly branded 'Scotexican' food fare!

A Haggis Repast opus 507

I dozed off to the pending news of our redundant politicians;
Such continual anger against almost everything.

I longed for a change-- something to put in my mouth.
Oh, the last portion of my can of Scottish Haggis.
Chopped into smaller portions, special oil poured thereupon.
Heated to soften the Haggis and yield a bubbling oil.
One of my last four eggs, held for a special occasion--
Eggs--the last--from my young hens--
Dog-murdered beside my house.
Now almost imbibing the heated oil-soaked meat,
I left it on my tongue to taste my Scottish heritage--
Washed down gently with not Scotch, but Sake--
A cosmopolitan repast at midnight.

The Pictish Rebel opus 697

It was 16 November (2025).
Not even 25 January,
(The traditional birthday party for Burns),
When the Ode to the Haggis is recited,
And that wondrous concoction 
Is 'captured' and consumed.

But this November day, I had a longing
And a rapacious appetite for that offal stuff;
Opening the stored can nearby,
I spooned out half, gently drowning it with Scotch,
Heated it carefully to be a bubbly warm
And imbibed it with its memorable taste,
Accompanied with sweet, but untraditional cranberry sauce.
Then, once again at dusk,
I repeated that wonderful, naughty orgy.
My Pictish carving days flowed through my mind.
Bannockburn, with the wallowing 
Mud-drenched oppressors on the bridge, 
Along with the several Burns Nights I have attended,
Celebrating that great poet and daring rebel,
Robert Burns.

The Making of a Stone Carver opus 709

My first trip with Nora, my late wife, to Ireland and Scotland,
Unfolded some adumbrations of my past ancestry.
I had done some genealogy before the trip for Nora's paper presentation.
I knew I went back to the Picts and the first Scottish king, Kenneth MasCalpine.
By actually being in these countries, it solidified my whole ancestry.
I attended seminars on the Pict's stone carving and woad tattooing.
(Woad is a European herb related to the mustards.
Woad is also a blue dye made from its leaves.)
When I returned home, I concentrated on learning to carve stones.
I found Mr. Rukala, the mason for the Sacramento Cemetery.
I and a young friend drove across the valley from Davis to Rockland.
Rukala met us, said he had twenty minutes for the lesson,
When he immediately began demonstrating with mallet and chisel.
As he proceeded, the main point became ever-clear--
Carve 'always away from the weak point or line'.
With this principle constantly in mind, one can rarely go wrong.
He presented me with a few old, huge chisels--never used--
And invited me to grab some stones on which to practice.
Then, he departed and we were left alone!
We drove home, picked out a large sandstone piece,
Originally found at Lake Berryessa and started in.
This first and quite well done carving, if I do say so myself,
Was of the Rhynie standing stone,
Depicting the fourth century salmon and Pictish Beast.
The instructions were perfect and the carving remains in my home.
To reach out with my craft; I left examples in several craft stores.
This was not a huge success, because I could not 
Match the price of the laser-made items.
I decided to participate in a local Scottish Games festival.
People began purchasing--everything went to my QR Land Trust.
An artisan came by and said, "I have not seen you before",
And invited me to another festival farther up north.
That started things off, developing to 15 festivals, 
Which I attended each year. 
The festivals covered Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington--
A large commitment, but all a labor of love and fun.
I was showered in fliers, newscasts, brochures, and invitations.
A slow, but incredible fulfillment of reputation and devotion.
And so it went for many years and several hundred stones!