A significant part of these past three months have been
spent studying at the University of Glasgow, educating myself on the ins and
outs of Scottish literature, culture, and history. I have learned so much and I
can only thank the university with sincere and honest gratitude for allowing me
the chance to have this entire experience. I have read texts that helped define
the nation and create a culturally-aware society like none other. Though, to be
honest, schoolwork was not my most absolutely favorite aspect of studying
abroad, I must admit that I learned very interesting facts and stories about
certain authors which I find truly valuable.
One of the pieces I read was a poem by Edwin Morgan titled “The
Loch Ness Monster’s Song.” [A copy of the poem, as well as a recording of it,
can be viewed here- http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=1683.
Trust me, you will want to see it.] The poem is written in a very unique style
in which it appears the author slammed his head against the keyboard a few
times and then sent it out for publishing. The first time I read it, I laughed.
Yet when we discussed it in class, I discovered something very interesting.
Edwin Morgan was homosexual; and this, his seemingly deranged rant against the
English alphabet, was his coming-out story. The sounds which begin the poem are
Morgan’s own proclamation about himself, screaming out to the world who he
truly is and he has lived in secret, similar to the mysterious monster. Edwin
Morgan, in an attempt to define his own self through his poetry, compares
himself to the secretive and oh-so-great Loch Ness Monster.
The poem stands as an emblem of confidence, of courage and
self-awareness, refusing to accept society’s standards for defining who he is. When
I discovered the meaning of this poem in class, I was amazed, bewildered, and
absolutely stunned. Perhaps it is just the English major inside of me, but I found
this piece of work so powerful. My study abroad experience was no doubt
highlighted by the travels I undertook and the wondrous sights I witnessed, but
it will moments like this one that will forever stay in mind. The education I have
received in the past three months will exist as some of the best in my life
because, in truth, it is like none other. Like my visit to the Isle of Skye,
there is more out there in great, big world for us to see as well as learn.
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