Dissy corner poem

Feb.2006. GlesgaPal CharlieMcD, Glasgow, Scotland
The hour hand of the famous Boots clock is now in Calton Parkhead Church in Helenvale Street, Parkhead where I run the Day Centre.
When the building was being demolished the then minister of the church the Rev.Victor Crawford was allowed to browse around the building which was being demolished by a squad of Parkhead guys. He came across the hour hand and asked if he could take it away as it looked like a Celtic cross. Victor took the hour hand back to the church and was later amazed to find out that he had rescued a piece of Glesga folklore. The hour hand is now on the wall at the small meeting room at the back of the church and a photo and story of the Boots 'Dissy' Corner is next to it........... see photo below

.My thanks to GlesgaPal Charlie McDonald for supplying the hour hand photograph.

Dissy corner poem ................

'Twas all for the want of a Glesca kiss

It's hauf past seven, rain's pure lashin', she's dressed in black; looks like a mourner.
Nae umbrella, legs aw splashes, wilma's waitin, at Boots' Corner.
'Cos she's gaun dancin' wae Big Tam. She hopes he wulny let her doon.
~~~
Just up the road, in the Gordon Bar, Tam buys a pint, an' settles doon.
~~~
A quarter-to, it's gettin' dark, she tries tae look, aw unconcerned.
"See ma erse", She thinks. "it's freezin. You'd think by now, ah wid've learned.".
All around her, other girls, wait five minutes, then get met.
~~~
Just up the road, in the Gordon Bar, Tam lights another cigarette.
~~~
It's just gone eight, tears gettin' closer, now it's dark, she waits alone.
Each girl, in turn, had met their dates, had kissed, embraced, linked arms, had gone.
A single tear, dropped from her cheek, and lost itself, in all the rain.
~~~
Meanwhile, in the Gordon Bar; "Hey darlin', want the same again?"
~~~
Wilma checked her watch, and bus-fare, and stepped out, onto Argyle Street.
She cursed her luck, the rain, Big Tam, her leaky shoes, and frozen feet,
as she made her way tae her bus stoap. Wilma walked, her mascara ran.
~~~
Just up the road, in the Gordon Bar, Tam shouted, "Gie's another wan".
~~~
Gently sobbin'. Hair aw drippin'. Wilma looked up, through the rain.
"Oh tell me God", She pled aloud. "Will ah ever love a man again?"
When suddenly, the rain went off, as though the clouds, had all run dry.
But much more sudden, a voice behind her;
"Aw Wilma, c'mon doll; therr's nae need tae cry."

Wilma jumped three feet, her bus-fare jumped seven,
as wildly she spun 'round and...let out a shrill laugh.
It was Danny, her neighbour, and 'though it was dark,
she could see he'd a haircut and been near a bath.
...
Wilma surveyed him an' liked whit she saw there:
gone was the long hair that bred tales of lice;
no more had he pimples to frighten a poultice,
"In fact," Wilma thought. "He's helluva nice."

"Eh, Wilma, ah hope ye don't think ah'm a chancer but,
if you're no' rushin' tae get hame thi'night.
Would ye like tae go walkin'?"Inside Wilma glowed.
"Well, ah don't, an' ah'm not, an' a would...That alright?"
She went home... some hours later, when the dark had turned light.
~~~
It's three months later, rain's pure lashin', Big Tam's dressed,in his Faither's suit.
He's oan a promise, whit a prospect, 'cos Wilma phoned, and asked him oot.
Wilma says that, she forgives him, and is sorry for moaning, about his 'few beers'.
And if he'd like to wait, he'll get a surprise, and one he'll remember, she hopes, for years.
~~~
Just up the road, in the Gordon Bar, the glasses were raised all 'round the room.
As Danny, kissed Wilma, the people applauded, and toasted:..."The bride and groom."

written by Monty Bing