Life and Poetry

It is hot and sticky today--as it has been since I returned from cool and windy Ireland. I am not used to this weather and thus find myself a lot more uncomfortable than I would normally be in August. The sky, however, is a mass of interesting cloud formations. I have also noticed the abundant variety of trees in our area--maple, oak, cherry, dogwood, birch and ash. Everything is flowering; crimson and yellow flowers dot the roadsides and front yard gardens.

I am back to work this week. Meanwhile I'm thinking of how to internalize what I learned this summer so the writing continues. For every day I don't write, it takes three days to get back to the writing--Geraldine told me this and it is true. I have taken a break since I returned home, concentrating on the mundane and the important--paying bills, cleaning, renewing my contacts with friends and family. Goals were developed this summer. I hope to make them as much a part of my life as work and relationships.

I went to Ikea for the first time today--not a literary experience but certainly an interesting one. It's rather overwhelming--huge and filled with colors, textures and choices. Probably the best part of the experience was dinner at a random Italian restaurant* where I had the second best Puttanesca sauce of my life--it was subtle and redolent with flavor. Having seen the film Julia and Julie this week, I realize that I am a bit of a "foodie" though French food is way too rich for my tastes. Good food can be like music or poetry--layers of flavor that are revealed slowly. So--I will write Puttanesca this week--tangy, with undertones of saltiness, the texture of whole tomatoes, capers, onions, and Kalamata olives.

*The name of this restaurant will be revealed to anyone who asks.

Thatched House on Inishmore

Dun Aonghasa --A 3,000 year old fort on Inishmore

Reality Sets In

I had mountains of mail awaiting me. Between the post office, the grocery store, phone messages, checking in with the family, and numerous bills to be paid, I felt as if I was rudely thrust back into the world. I'm trying to keep the feeling that was so prevalent during my time in Ireland--a reverence for the natural world, music, conversation, and culture. Writing was my reason for being in Ireland and what I learned about the culture of the country, flora, people and art is more than I can begin to put into words.

I had promised postings of various pictures but slow and unpredictable internet coverage made that impossible. I will try to post some of my many experiences--in photos.

Geraldine Mills, Irish Poet and Writer

Goats on Inishmore!

Slán Go Fóill

The Last Days of an Amazing Journey in Self-Discovery and Poetry

I am so sad to leave this place. Not only have I met creative, gracious, and unique people--some of whom have become true friends, I have had more time to listen to my own writing voice. I've written steadily and in my writing, I have discovered my relationship with the land and the people of Ireland. The music festival brought me to another place with art. On one of my last days, I went to the island of Inishmore--one of the Aran Islands--and saw yet another part of Irish culture.
What is different? The food (okay, I miss big salads and blueberries), the incredible hospitality, the Guinness (yes, it really IS different there), the huge role that music plays in the lives of most people, the pace (much slower), the driving (sheep in the road and very narrow roads AND they drive on the left), the incredible green everywhere, the weather (much colder), the conservation of energy that is commonplace, turf fires even in August, scones, salmon, showers that took me a while to understand, thatched houses, wide open space, and a feeling of safety in the small towns. I felt as if I really experienced Ireland in a different way this time and I could never go back as a tourist again. Living with people, going to events in the town, listening to music in a pub--all of these things made me begin to feel the country as well as see it.
This opportunity was transformative for me. I wrote with passion, interacted with people in a new place, had other writers share and give feedback, and experienced both the stunning beauty and culture of an extraordinary country. It may take many months to fully assimilate all that I have learned.

Kilcar Beach Walk

Kilcar Echo Glen

Kilcar Echo Glen

Last night I attended Echo Glen--music played across a glen. It began with bagpipers playing. When they stopped, bagpipers across a glen played an answer. It then moved on to fiddlers which were harder to hear across the glen with the sheep, wind and occasional cars. It was a cool, clear night but the midges (like mosquitoes) were out in full force and I have the bumps to prove it! When we returned (via a bus) to town, we stopped at a pub and found musicians gathering to play. We also met a Dutch family traveling by caravan and visited with them for about an hour before walking the 1/2 mile back to our little rented homes.

I am trying to get some writing done today--it's a rainy day and there's a turf fire going in the fireplace. It's a perfect day for reading and writing. Yesterday we hiked to the beach--about 4 miles each way. It was spectacular. Tonight there is another music and dance event and we will likely attend. It will be hard to leave Kilcar on Sunday. We are heading for Galway and the Aran Islands. Kira and Jenny will stay in Galway so we will part ways at that point.

I am nearing the end of my month in Ireland. I have written a lot of poetry, two short stories and I have spent valuable time with writers--Geraldine Mills and Ted and Annie Deppe. I could not imagine a better place to be for writing and renewal!

Kilcar Fleadh/Ceardlanna Ceoil Agus Damhsa Music and Dance

This is a week of traditional Irish music and dance in Kilcar. Our lovely home here is walking distance from town. Last night there was a band and dancing in the street! After that ended around 11 pm, the band and other musicians moved to the pubs and had a jam session that lasted until the wee hours. As they say here, it was brilliant! There were numerous multi-talented musicians playing fiddle, accordian, guitar and other instruments. I lasted until about 12:30. Kira has joined us and has her friend Jenny visiting (she is working on a farm in Bantry which is quite far from here in the southern part of Ireland, Country Cork.) I worked on editing my collection in the morning and spent the afternoon and evening taking in the beautiful environment here. It is a friendly town--and the small library allows us to take out books which makes us all very happy.

The Learning Curve

A man in Golden Indian Restaurant in Kilcar told me that every place has a Bundoran. Having booked a place in Bundoren, County Donegal only to find the promised ocean view obliterated by the "Crazy Mouse" roller coaster, I thought back to my own "Bundorans". In the coastal town of New London, Connecticut, Ocean Beach Park is such a place. Beyond the boardwalk, there are frozen custard stands, arcades, and rides. But my wise Irish friend also told me that there are two Bundorans. Walking beyond the golf course, I found the fairy bridges and the path to Tullen Strand, a beach with sea caves and blue-green waves. There were surfers in multi-colored wetsuits because it never really gets too warm here. From the cheesy chip shops and arcades, there are hidden vistas and rugged cliff walks. It wasn't enough to keep me there a week, however. I have moved on to Kilcar--a sleepy little town with a music festival happening this week. My host has given us two places--one for Kira and her visiting friend Jenny (who took way too many buses all the way from a farm in County Cork) and one for us. Both have turf fires and a lovely view. It is walking distance to this town which has one of the best Indian restaurants ever. It is also close to beautiful cliff walks and historical sites. More on that later. I will post pictures when it is possible. Internet access is dear in this town. I should have plenty of time to write. I had a wonderful day on Saturday with poet Ted Deppe and his wife, the poet Annie Deppe. His help with my collection was invaluable. We also shared both lunch and dinner in their lovely new home. I feel lucky indeed to have had time to go over my work with a poet I so admire. I also made a connection with my hosts in Connemara. Their children attend a small Irish speaking school and two of them are the same age as the children in my project for second graders. I hope to find a few students willing to have some Irish pen pals. I was sad to leave the stone cottage in Carna. Barbara and Josie were grand hosts and the environment was wild and unspoiled. I hope my time in Kilcar will be similar.

The Wind

We fall asleep to the wind and we wake to the wind. Clothes can dry on the line in an hour if it isn't raining. Things I've noticed: there are no planes overhead--ever. There are no insect noises like katydid and cricket. The landscape is redolent with orange, magenta, violet, and yellow. Sheep are more abundant than people here. They graze on the side of roadways, in yards, on rocky overlooks. It is challenging to drive the narrow roads. Today I took a coastal walk by Dog Bay in Roundstone. I will post those photos when I can--it was spectacular. It was one of the best days weather-wise. It tends to be very cold and rainy most days--and even today, there was a drenching shower for a short time.

New Connections

I had a wonderful reading at the home of Geraldine Mills and Peter Moore last night. Many writers attended and I had the opportunity to hear the work of others and to read. It was so grand to meet artists from Ireland--and to share good food and wine. This fellowship has afforded me so much--a chance to have undisturbed time for writing, meet new writers, and grow as a writer. I hope to continue to be productive in creating new work in this amazing landscape.

Week of Writing

We have finished our intensive week of writing, creating much poetry for our collaborative collection. It has been both fruitful and wonderful working with a poet from another country. We have found many commonalities and I have learned more about the culture of this beautiful country. I've also learned about Irish plants, animals, and traditions. We walked on the beach daily, drank many cups of tea and hot water with lemon, ate simple meals, and shared art and thoughts. I am sad that this week is over but I look forward to more writing on my own in the coming weeks.