A Review of Poyums by Len Pennie

Imagine my delight when a friend sent me a video of a woman espousing feminist rage in iambic pentameter with a broad Scottish accent. That, was how I was introduced to the work of Len Pennie. Originally shared with me in part due to the aforementioned feminist rage but also because of our shared Scottish heritage (she is Scottish, I’m about half) my friend wanted to know if I could understand the Scots words she uses in her work. In truth I understand a little, but I am not fluent nor fast enough to parse it all when she is mid passionate recital. But, this is ok because she also posts a “Scots word of the day” on her social media, in which she chooses a Scots word, often relevant to a proceeding anecdote or comment she has received. She will tell you the meaning of the word, show you how to pronounce it and give you an example sentence (with subtitled translation in to English). In her words she is “spreading the Scots language like a linguistic rash” and I am here for it.

Poyums

Poyums is a compilation of 64 original poems, some of which were originally shared on Pennie’s social media accounts. The poems use a mix of Scots and English to tackle subjects ranging from domestic abuse, mental illness, women’s and girl’s empowerment and Scottish culture. As both a fluent Scots speaker and a linguist Pennie deftly guides even the most unfamiliar reader into a love affair with the Scots language. Her absolute passion for the language is clear as is her skill in seamlessly producing familiarity and accessibility to the language through repetition and context. For the Scots curious I cannot recommend her work enough, as beautiful as Robert Burns works but infinitely more accessible and relatable. Pennie utilizes clever rhyming and rhythm to guide us through poems that are raw and honest, at times even brutal, but equally witty and intelligent. Frankly, not one of them misses and that’s quite a feat.

I cannot stress enough that it is worth getting both the audiobook and the written version for the full experience. The audio, also read by Pennie, is an absolute treat. A journey through the emotions in her poetry, the audio truly evokes a reaction in the listener, sometimes joy and laughter and sometimes tears. Len recorded the book in one sitting and was allowed to “just scream” in the booth (or she was allowed to yoller in the booth, to use the Scots). So the audiobook is truly the raw essence of her words and a great way to hear the pronunciation of the Scots words in particular. Read in tandem with the written book it will help readers to dissect and digest the words of the poyums and identify a spelling* of the Scots, which will allow for a quick google. Additionally, since Scots doesn’t really have formal spelling system, most words have multiple acceptable spellings; but by using Len’s preferred spelling you have jumping off point that will allow for easier searches in the Dictionaries of the Scots Language.

Pennie has said on her social media that she chose not to include a glossary because she wants her audience to do more than flick to the back of a book to identify singular words, she wants to encourage further experience of Scots and for you to “continue that learning journey”. It would be remiss of me not to point out, as Pennie herself has done in her videos, that you can also ask your local library to stock her book, thus saving yourself money if you cannae afford both (or either).

I cannot speak highly enough of this book, or of Len Pennie as a content creator, she’s truly a delight to watch, fun and educational, intersectional, witty and clearly intelligent. You can find her @misspunnypennie on social media.

Mhairie Robb