This is somewhat inspired by this episode of The Allusionist in which Harry Josephine Giles proposes the word “trowie” as a Scots equivalent of “queer”, based on the idea of the magical otherness of trows, which are similar to trolls or fairies.
You say I’m shy.
I say, maybe I just don’t want to talk to you.
You’re really not all that interesting to me.
I don’t do small talk
With small minded people.
You say I’m rarely seen.
I say, maybe you’re just not looking hard enough.
I see you all the time.
Too much, if anything.
I can’t help it if you always look right through me.
You say I’m ugly.
I say, well that’s a bold claim
From somebody who just said they never see me.
Somebody whose idea of beauty comes from magazines.
The day I look pretty to you,
I’ll get a makeover.
You say I’m mischievous.
I say, if you can’t take a joke
Maybe you shouldn’t be the one
Calling me ugly.
I’ve got a sophisticated sense of humour.
Not my fault if it goes over your head.
You say it’s unlucky to see me, but auspicious to hear my voice.
I say, hark at you with your fancy words.
“Auspicious!” Free music, more like.
As long as I stay out of sight
And don’t frighten the horses
You’re happy enough to listen to my songs, and not give me the credit.
Is that it?
You say I’m magical.
I say, fair enough:
I’ll give you that.
More magical than you will ever be.
Tom Juniper Poetry 