Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MY AULD PIKE STAFF, by JAMES THOMSON (1825-1888)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MY AULD PIKE STAFF, by                 Poet Analysis    
First Line: My auld pike staff, my trusty frien'
Last Line: Till I am gone.
Subject(s): Friendship; Sticks


MY auld pike staff, my trusty frien',
Like hand and glove we aye hae been;
Mony a change we baith hae seen,
Since first we met;
Atween us yet nae words hae been,
I'm prood to say't.

Weel do I mind the April morn
I took you frae your parent thorn.
Although at times you've been the scorn
O' modern pride,
I ne'er could bide to hae ye shorn
O' bark or hide.

A varnish'd coat ye ne'er could shaw,
Like sticks that come frae far awa';
Nor were ye ever busket braw
Wi' dangling tassel;
But aye a sturdy shand could shaw,
To bide a brassel.

When I to kirk or market gaed,
You aye did help me in my need;
I didna want a hicc'ry reed
Like strutting spark;
They look nae better than a weed,
And dae sma' wark.

Owre hills and glens I've wander'd wide
With you aye faithful by my side;
Down craigs and rocks you've been my guide,
And kept me richt;
With you I ne'er felt dash'd nor fley'd
In darkest nicht.

On many a wild-goose chase we've been,
When I was thoughtless, young, and green,
Full forty miles we've often gane
On summer's day,
When some famed spot was to be seen,
Where heroes lay.

Tho' thoughtless folks may sneer and laugh
At you and me, my auld pike staff,
We'll little heed their idle chaff,
But toddle on;
You'll be my friend, my auld pike staff,
Till I am gone.





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