A Requiem for the Islands

For Iain who sailed there.

A colour

A chord

A chant in the light

A storm breaking slowly across a singing sky

Piano rain pressing this land and sea

Into the voyages of a personal history

Weeping tears that are lost across the windowed face

Of one that was loved

Coloured glass breaking the hearts

And missed fears

That are collected in a shining thought

Draped in these ripple textured liquids

And the sodden linens held in trembling hands

 

Looking for a pencil steeple

From a sea of whales

And other mysteries

Where we once played drunk

And cast our minds to ancient islands

Lost within the cries of seabirds

Flying across the chapel coves of our rest

And strange laughter

That long echoed the cliffs

And cut the waves from us

As we dove beneath them

Linking us to the past

In this beautiful place

Of water and mountain

Of light and wind sea spume

Of ruined dun and standing stones

That sang

When touched

By a true hand

And collected memories

Into them

For the one left behind.

 

Author's Note

Once upon a time we sailed around the Hebrides. Dervaig church on the island of Mull has a pencil steeple. The photograph is mine and called Light in the Islands.

Reviews

[Frieda P]

Your words always capture your photographs and painting to perfection, these brush strokes upon your page take me to far off mystical places Ken....

Looking for a pencil steeple
From a sea of whales
And other mysteries
Where we once played drunk

Always a grand vision from your pen my friend.

[Ken Simm.]

The pencil steeple is in a place called Dervaig on the island of Mull in the Hebrides Frieda. Where my friend Iain had his boat. We used to sail up and down the Minch between in the inner and outer Hebrides getting drunk. And navigating to fly s**t stains on the map. Thnk you for those wonderful words dear friend.

[Beccy]

This is both enchanting and lyrically beautiful poetry. You brought the sights, the sounds, the collected memories, vividly to life.

In the late sixties, my father sailed the Kyle of Lochalsh in Ravelin, an ocean going racing yacht owned by the Corp of Royal Engineers. I showed him this poem last night and he loved it, as did I.

There is much treasure to be found in the back pages of Writer's cafe.

Beccy.

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you to both you and your Father for the looking and liking Beccy. I was all over the islands at this time mostly drunk and trying to sail..

[Henryglass]

Your words draw images of verdant, abandoned, and lonely worlds. I recalled the Bird ascending by Ralph Vaughn Williams as I read your poetry. This is beautiful. Thank you.

[Ken Simm.]

The Lark ascending is one of my favourite pieces of music and I am honoured you think of that. Thank you.

[Henryglass]

LoL. I wrote the bird ascending. Who's your favorite composer?

[Ken Simm.]

I have many. But Vaughn Williams ranks up at the top.

[Henryglass]

Mine would be Bach. You know Andreas Scholl?

[Stella Armour]

how lovely this moody photograph it would look gorgeous painted in inks, it is very inspiring and i promise not to copy it...lol

A very soulful poem full of longing for what is past.. full of mystery and beautiful friendships.

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you Stella for the lovely review. You can copy if you wish.

[Stella Armour]

it would only be for my own personal use.. thank you ken...

[Corset]

I love the descriptions of this magical time and place, you have captured them so beautifully, the picture is gorgeous and rivaled only by your words.

[Ken Simm.]

I'm glad you like them both Corset. Much appreciated.

[TL Boehm]

Such heady resonance in this piece. I can taste the salt spray and see the dance of light and wave as I read this. Just beautiful

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you Tammy. Lots of good memories.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

This is a moment in time piece... I love all of the images, which read almost like a list in some ways, but I enjoyed it in that form. I loved the picture, and I think you have truly captured something here that is a journey of sorts.

[Ken Simm.]

It does, you are right sound like a list. Good and bad memories. Thank you my friend.

[SyberRose]

Beautiful heartfelt words of reverence in this bittersweet piece accompanied by your amazing photo of tranquility...Rose

[Ken Simm.]

I thought I had answered this lovely comment Rose but it seems I hadn't, my apologies and sincere thanks for liking both my pieces.

[Angi]

Your photographs are breathtaking, Ken. I have told you about my interest in The Hebrides. This tribute to 'Iain' is a lovely one. We carry memories inside, always. You spill your thoughts so beautifully. I am sure Iain knows. Angi~

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you for all those compliments Angi. And thank you even more for the support. You have indeed commented on the islands to me. I hope you get the chance to visit someday. you will not be disappointed

[Angi]

You are welcome, Ken. I hope I get to see them, too.

[Ken Simm.]

There is a BBC series airing over here at the moment called, Hebrides, Islands on the Edge. Its one of the best I've seen on the islands. Look out for it, you may be able to pick it up on BBCAmerica.

[Angi]

Oh! Thank you for the head's up! I will look for it.

[Pete Langley]

I can see why you....and Iain....loved this place....on the face of it, hard and unyielding, borne of the struggle against the elements, but full of the beauty of the austere. You`ve recreated the essential emotion Iain must have felt, Ken. P.

[Ken Simm.]

When Iain died we went out whale watching in his boat. We found some too. A couple of Minke whales in the Minch. We were not in any fit state to appreciate them though. I'm glad you like this Pete, thank you.