Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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My Ode to the Haggis. For many, 25 January is an important and meaningful date, As it is the birthday of the great Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns (1759-1796). He wrote Jeanie With the Light brown Hair, Auld Lang Syne, An Ode to Washington, while his own country Was fighting the new rebellious America, As well as later, an Ode to the Freedom Tree During the French Revolution-- This, while his country was opposing France! A daring and romantic poet, taking many risks. But on the lighter side, he playfully wrote the Ode to the Haggis. Just what is Haggis, the 'national dish' of Scotland? All cultures, being unwasteful of needed food, Combined those animal parts, for us, sort of on the margin. Wurst of the Germanics, Wieners (hot dogs) of North America, And, of course, Mexican Menudo and Buche, both with small intestine, And Haggis of Scotland--lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas and so forth; These traditional items combined are called the offal, Collected by mainly amputating the esophagus And pulling out all the attached organs thereto, Then adding in those other goodies, such as kidneys and liver. This mixture is diced, adding rolled oats, stuffed into a sheep's stomach, (Remember, weiner material was stuffed into small intestines) And baked to perfection--only combined taters and nips and Scotch are needed To finalize the tasty combination-- So unwasteful and delicious, mated with the alcohol. Just for fun, since I will be alone for Thanksgiving, I have ordered canned Haggis to arrive soon, Which I will combine with my purchased turnips and potatoes. A half bottle of real Scotch awaits, sent to me last year by an old friend. Quietly, alone, but not, I shall commune with Rabbie anticipating his birthday. Frank Maurer 24 November 2024 1030 Hours.