The Plooin’ Match

Author: Violet Jacob

There's a lad at the ploo
An' a lass at the byre,

Wi' the mornin' licht creepin' ower the fields,
An' their hearts are fu' o' fire;

There's a curlin' reek i' the cottar's lum
An' the sun glints on the dew,

But their een are no' on the things they see,
They are dreamin' dreams that's new.

For the ploo goes richt
And the coo is milked,
An' the lass comes hame wi' the kye;

But the lad is thinkin' o' what might be,
An' the lass - her dreams gang by.

There's mony a lad will ca' a feck,
An' mony a lass will say,

But the laddies' an' the lassies' een
See farther than the day.

For they'll meet whaur the shadows fa',
An' the licht is like the air,

Wi' the cornfauld stannin' silver-white
In the moonlicht's holy glare.

There's a lad at the ploo
An' a lass at the byre,

But there's nae mair licht on the land or sea
Than the licht in their hearts' desire.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written: 1916-03-01

Date Published:

Language: Scots

Keywords: Farming, Love, Scotland, Daily Life, Youth

Source: Collected Poems of Violet Jacob

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: A narrative poem depicting a day in the life of young Scottish farmers, with a focus on their dreams and desires.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.