Poetry with the power to move and inspire is being generated from some unlikely corners of Scotland
Stephen Watt Born and bred in Dumbarton, Stephen was the first crime poet to appear at Bloody Scotland in 2016 as well as being Dumbarton Football Club’s first Poet in Residence. His work has been published in the collection Optograms published by Wild Word Press, Spit, and in the music and spoken word project Neon Poltergeist which he produced with musician Gareth McNicol. His new crime poetry collection will be published by Red Squirrel later this year.
“Like most school kids I just wasn’t interested in poetry at all. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I decided to pick up a pencil and start writing. A couple of weeks later I had the unfortunate experience of being mugged on the train.
Suddenly the poetry really kicked in and I started using it as therapy. Six months later I was jumped again – this time it was a guy who had a pen knife to my neck. These incidents were the catalyst for me becoming a poet.
“Most people start by trying to write love poetry – at 19 years old, I thought that was the best place to start too, but because of the assaults, my writing naturally took a darker turn. It became my way of making a wee bit of sense in my own head about what had happened.”
This story is from the March 2018 edition of The Scots Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2018 edition of The Scots Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
It's Time To Give Back
The ambitious campaign aiming to restore our much-loved pathways
The Wild Freedom
One man's quest to find the true meaning of the country's beaches
A Sense Of Closure
A trip to heavenly Tiree sees a return to the wild with true emotional purpose - and a vulnerable squirrel kit in tow
Blended By Bees
Perthshire flora adds delicate nuances to this honey liqueur-while offering a beleaguered species a helping hand
Chocolate Heaven
Sweet treats from the brilliant Bad Girl Bakery - you won't believe they're gluten-free!
FROM THE VAULT
Strange tales from the archives... This month - \"taps aff\" and more shenanigans in historic heatwaves
Esoteric Sounds
Brighde Chaimbeul on the magic of experimental melody
The Travelling Writer
Thriller novelist Emma Christie is hitting the road on a great European adventure but her heart and inspiration still lies back home in Scotland
The Big Picture
An atmospheric dawn vista from Braeriach in the Cairngorms National Park
Stalking The Tidelines
In a magical moment of pure stillness on Skye, Jim finds himself captivated by the poise and elegance of a hunting heron