Today’s poetry new round up takes a look at the Muslim Rabbie Burns, the 2025 Peter Porter Poetry Prize and the Burns inspired pub menu.
New Biography Tells Story of Poet Known as the Muslim Rabbie Burns
A recently released biography tells the story of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson, the Kilwinning poet and author who converted to Islam and is often referred to as the Muslim Rabbie Burns.
Born in Kilwinning in 1874 to Irish parents, Parkinson was a wool spinner by trade. In the years leading up to his death in 1918 his work and life bridged cultures, communities and continents. This new biography, which has been written by a distant cousin of the poet is titled “The Muslim Rabbie Burns – The Remarkable Life of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson”. The book is available via Amazon.
Although there is a plaque on the Heritage Trail in Kilwinning, the poet has been largely forgotten over the years. This new book delves into his early life from the death of his parents to his upbringing by his parents and then going out to work as a wool spinner. Parkingson taught himself mathematics, science, astronomy, philosophy and geography, and in 1900 converted to Islam when he became known as Yehya-en-Nasr.
Living in Scotland, the poet was relatively isolated but between 1901 and 1908 he was in contact with the Liverpool Muslim Institute, and they published some of his early work helping to establish his reputation in literary fields. He wrote a column in the local newspaper and using the name “Ingomar,”published a number of books including a poetry collection, “Lays of Love and War,” which looked at Jihad and romance.
He died in 1918 following a short bout of pneumonia. He was buried in the Kilwinning Cemetery with no memorial stone on his grave. Those who dealt with his burial chose not to mention his association with the British Islamic Movement
2025 Peter Porter Poetry Prize in Australia
Claire Potter, the head of the AA Writing Centre, has been shortlisted for this year’s Peter Porter Poetry Prise for her poem “Moths That Fly by Night”. There are five poems on the shortlist for the prestigious prize that is offered by the Australian Book Review. This year’s competition saw a staggering 1171 from 21 countries.
Potter has published four collections of poetry since her first collection in 2006 and is also the author of a number of translations and essays. She also teaches at the AA Writing Centre.
A reading of her poem, together with the other shortlisted entries, will be available to listen to from mid-January.
Limited-time Burger and Drinks in Honour of Scottish Poet
It’s that time of year when there are plenty of activities and celebrations being planned to honour the Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Pub chain, Wetherspoons, is getting in on the act with a limited-time burger and drinks to celebrate the famous poet. They will be offering the celebration items in establishments in Wales, Scotland and England. Alongside the special Caledonian burger, which is topped with haggis and a whisky sauce, they will also be offering a traditional meal of haggis, neeps and tatties.
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