Sailmaker

• Yacht Symbolism

  Its got nae sails or nae mast or nothin

  It'll take time. materials'll be dear

  The flames licked around it
• Alec

  Hes really a sailmaker. Thats his real job. Thats his trade.

  Youve been drinkin. I can smell it

  Can ye no talk tae me these days

  Get a wee place ae ma own
• Alec and Ian

  Any new comics tae swap?

  Make a great chib

  Dont talk aboot school. Ah hate it!

  Ah got a letter fae Alec
• Alec and Davie

  How come ye chucked yer trade?

  It chucked me

  Can ye no talk tae me these days?

  (Davie slaps him, exits)
• Alec’s Emotions

  My mother was dead. My mother was dead.

  (Davie slaps him, exits)

  top equal
• Davie

  ye can nearly forget about it. shove it tae the back of yer mind

  we can clear it up in the morning

  d’ye fancy nippin soon take the chippy gettin a coupla fish suppers
• Family relationships 


  How come ye chucked yer trade?

  any new comics tae swap?

  ah got a letter fae Alec
• Religion


  A sign. Jesus to come walking

  too equal

  ye never come oot wi us these days

  ma auld hymnbook. Cannae burn a hymnbook
• Social class

  He’s really a sailmaker. that’s his real job. that’s his trade

  gat a wee place ae ma own

  dont talk aboot school. Ah hate it
• Theme of loss

  Can ye no talk tae me these days?

  ah got a letter fae alec

  it chucked me
• Poverty

  Is there no even any bread

  so that’s me. Scrubbed. Again. Laid off

  now when ah pay him ah’m just clearin the interest

  grey tenements
• Identity

  The two halfs don’t sit right. aw squinty

  top equal

  ah worked on the queen mary ye know