32 thoughts on “#writing201 #water #haiku #simile”
That’s so evocative! I wonder how many people know what the word ‘dreich’ means, and whether it matters. The only people I ever heard use that word were my Scottish mum and her twin sister. It took me back….
Thank you very much for your kind words! It is funny how there are some words that are meant to be used for Scotland’s fabled clime; how else would you describe a ‘haar’!?
Edinburgh is my adopted city, which part of the country is your Mummy from?
Aberdeen was her nearest city, but she left Scotland to make her career as a ballet dancer, and married a Londoner. She never took us back there. Although she loved Scotland, and longed to return, there were painful memories.
There would have been! I can’t imagine how anyone can ever get over this… you should come visit!
I’m trying not to laugh as I write this, because if you really feel that way it’s not funny. My mum spoke fondly beautiful landscapes and lochs. (and the stylish restaurants that her granny took her to in Aberdeen, where the alcohol-soaked old lady would wet herself and the staff would politely pretend not to notice – the grandma was rich and influential.)
Hah! The quirks and eccentricities of the people here is what makes it so much easier to call home… hame really!
I figured dreich was gaeliic. I loved to see it in the poem. Not sure if it means grey and cloudy or just really crappy weather.
I get the feeling February is not the month of romance in Edinburgh because I don’t know the word. Teach me! 🙂
I always imagine Edinburgh as a very romantic place so I hope I’m wrong.
It is Gaelic. Thanks. It means misty and clouded over in a way unique to Edinburgh – with a tinge of inky blue behind the ominous clouds – I can’t explain it. Edinburgh is beautifully romantic, it is a very pretty city. And personally, I think it is the most romantic in grey weather, the dark stone is set off brilliantly against the black of the cobbles and the grey of the sky. If you want more of my thoughts on that, I wrote about it here…
I love your use of Scottish to tie up the sense of place, and I love that I had to look it up! Great bending of the “rules” with line length and breaks, but still the “right” number of syllables. Then, because of that, you’ve got internal rhyme, and you even added the simile. Rich with artistry, detail, and devices. Well done! 🙂
This was really unique especially using the word driech I’ve never heard of it (but I looked it up) but really clever how you used it in the poem to describe love in it’s opposite which can be deary and glum depending on the situation.
Didn’t know what dreich was, except that you gave it away with your beautifully crafted contextual clues. And though mist and fog make me cold,and uncomfortable, I felt enfolded, warmed instead, by the scene you painted in so few words. Really nice.
It reminds of how I felt about rainy days in Seattle. A lot of people complained about the dark, and cloudy days. I always thought there was something magical in them. I think Scotland probably has its own special brand of beauty in the clouds and rain.
BookMark 
That’s so evocative! I wonder how many people know what the word ‘dreich’ means, and whether it matters. The only people I ever heard use that word were my Scottish mum and her twin sister. It took me back….
/Mist, like last year’s kiss – immaculate!
Thank you very much for your kind words! It is funny how there are some words that are meant to be used for Scotland’s fabled clime; how else would you describe a ‘haar’!?
Edinburgh is my adopted city, which part of the country is your Mummy from?
Aberdeen was her nearest city, but she left Scotland to make her career as a ballet dancer, and married a Londoner. She never took us back there. Although she loved Scotland, and longed to return, there were painful memories.
There would have been! I can’t imagine how anyone can ever get over this… you should come visit!
I’m trying not to laugh as I write this, because if you really feel that way it’s not funny. My mum spoke fondly beautiful landscapes and lochs. (and the stylish restaurants that her granny took her to in Aberdeen, where the alcohol-soaked old lady would wet herself and the staff would politely pretend not to notice – the grandma was rich and influential.)
Hah! The quirks and eccentricities of the people here is what makes it so much easier to call home… hame really!
I figured dreich was gaeliic. I loved to see it in the poem. Not sure if it means grey and cloudy or just really crappy weather.
I get the feeling February is not the month of romance in Edinburgh because I don’t know the word. Teach me! 🙂
I always imagine Edinburgh as a very romantic place so I hope I’m wrong.
It is Gaelic. Thanks. It means misty and clouded over in a way unique to Edinburgh – with a tinge of inky blue behind the ominous clouds – I can’t explain it. Edinburgh is beautifully romantic, it is a very pretty city. And personally, I think it is the most romantic in grey weather, the dark stone is set off brilliantly against the black of the cobbles and the grey of the sky. If you want more of my thoughts on that, I wrote about it here…
Very evocative. Nicely done
Thank you 🙂
Dreich had me confused alright.
Hopefully you gleaned it from context?
yes I did. you really write very well (y)
Thanks, you are kind!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I’m glad to have reached here!
3 beautiful, evocative lines 🙂
BTW, I never did hear the word ‘dreich’ before 🙂
I was hoping readers would have something to take away 🙂
I love your use of Scottish to tie up the sense of place, and I love that I had to look it up! Great bending of the “rules” with line length and breaks, but still the “right” number of syllables. Then, because of that, you’ve got internal rhyme, and you even added the simile. Rich with artistry, detail, and devices. Well done! 🙂
Woah! Thank you for the kind words and the constructive criticism. Glad to know what I tried, worked…
This was really unique especially using the word driech I’ve never heard of it (but I looked it up) but really clever how you used it in the poem to describe love in it’s opposite which can be deary and glum depending on the situation.
Thanks.. I’m happy there was something to take away 🙂
What a mood you’ve set simply by employing the right vocabulary! Kudos.
Thanks! 🙂
Didn’t know what dreich was, except that you gave it away with your beautifully crafted contextual clues. And though mist and fog make me cold,and uncomfortable, I felt enfolded, warmed instead, by the scene you painted in so few words. Really nice.
Thank you! I worked hard to use the word and not use it to limit my readers either 🙂
It reminds of how I felt about rainy days in Seattle. A lot of people complained about the dark, and cloudy days. I always thought there was something magical in them. I think Scotland probably has its own special brand of beauty in the clouds and rain.
Yes! So I’ve heard of Seattle from friends who live there. There is so much joy to be had from the love of a place…
“February song” sang to me, the picture was there, a strong and romantic ending
Thank you 🙂
Love your haiku. You have a great blog. I am now following your blog.
“February song” Don’t know why, but I just love the sound of that
Oh thank you, me too, if I say so myself 🙂
Beautiful Haiku. Well done.