Migrant Workers

13/08/09

Migrant Workers by Liz Niven

Liz Niven is a Scottish poet, writer and editor, and a PEN member. She is widely published and anthologised and has participated in International Literary Festivals. She has worked on projects for bodies such as the London Poetry Society, Scottish Poetry Library and Scottish Natural Heritage. She collaborates on poetry projects with artists, sculptors and designers.


Migrant Workers

This flittin fae citie tae citie
A few month here, 
a few month there.

This isnae a gap year,
kids haein time oot stravaigin
ettlin tae meet cool folk,

in a hostel faur fae hame.
Budweisar in wan haun
a chick in the ither.
Hing oot, chill oot, space oot.

This isnae rich weans wi da's credit caird,
a few months maturing, braidenin horizons,
exploring the world afore uni or work.

This is folk fleein fae povertie,
migrant workers luikin fir income,
twintie tae a dormitorie,
bunk bed if ye're lucky.

Mair Steinbeck than Kerouak.

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