3rd place winner in the 2021 Dunedin UNESCO Robert Burns Poetry Competition - unpublished poets section
Break the chains fae the unicorn
A moved tae New Zealand in twinty fifteen
I was sick a the British government, the tories and the queen
Efter Scotland didny secure her ain independence
I wasny much interested in the Brexit ascendance
So off I went, with my suitcase in tow
Tae gee living with our Māori cousins a go
I got here and felt like I fitted right in
Cos Scottish and Māori, we’re very akin
We both got shafted by the coloniser man
An lost our cultures, our language, our land
Wit they call papakainga, reminds me of oor schemes
We aw look oot for each other, even the yung teams
Now while I will forever be as proud ta be Scot
I dinny take for granted the position av got
Im here an accepted like wan o their ain
Tuturu Scāori, Ive been dubbed time an again
Scottish by blood, wi a heart like the Māori’s
Puttin hope over fear in face of adversities
Wit happens, ye ask, when oor cultures collide?
An we leave oor great homeland… to another, reside
Braveheart, freedom, a strong will could create thunderstorms
You’ll see the potential, break the chains fae the unicorn
Scottish pride will never diminish
But there our appreciation doesny finish
We are honourable people, remain true to our roots
But we mind the customs of where stand our boots
Come one, come aw of near and afar
Raise a toast tae oor cultures, wi a dram SLAINTE