Passing Iona.

A landscape painting.

Water moving

Catching singing lines.

Light cutting into a clear white sky.

Falling.

Breaking into the sight of time leaving clear spindrift in the paradise of empty places

 

Seal catching the

Skirling music and

Arcs of liquid in

Crystal moments formed in waves

Sculpted in an age of giants.

And a history of

Silver slow falls.

Mirrored in the

Deep caverns

of haunted submerged holes

and abandoned petrified trees.

Tumbling and flashing colour from feather, air and sky

 

Rocks cracked and

Far mountains seen whole,

That part proscenium mists

to climb

into slant angled rain

and the orchestral voices

echoing

in the hearing of God.

Crystal holy places high in the mind of the world

 

Waves speak personally and

Stuttered headlands pass

Opinions on the views seen.

Waves and growing rock beneath the skin of the land

 

With the glory that is sunlight

Silver shining on an island sea.

The graves of Kings that are

Held in the wishes of an Irish saint

Illuminated with mysteries

And the stone churches of faith

 

Captured

With water baptised

And blood rinsed

Shining stone in the places of the ancient

Built and written

on beaches of virgin mantle white crushed shell

And the dragged keels of

raiders into summer history.

The Saints and ravens that cry into a bright and sparkling sky

 

The painted illuminations of faith alone

Are the will of saints standing

On the edge of the world

And reaching into the legends

That Rome disbelieved

An island holding a

Summer smooth day

Passed with

Crisp sea and brightness

White and candle lit chapels

Fire caves made by giants

And overtures played

falling down to the inland sea

of ancient and personal history.

Giving of your life to a speck of dust lost in sanctified tracks

 

All seen with the final memory eyes

 of a long dead friend.

Abandoned to the glory of your personal infinite

Whoever and whatever He may be.

 

Author's Note

Iona is the island off the coast of W Scotland where Christianity was brought to Britian by Columba in 563. The beautiful ilustrated Book of Kells was reputedly produced here. Many Scottish and Scandanavian kings are buried here, including Macbeth.
The monastery was subject to many Viking raids and at least one massacre.
The photograph is mine and is called Whoopers. It was taken in the Hebrides, W Scotland. The famous Fingals cave is just north of here.
To review Chris's lovely poem go here, http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Ancient117331/1188281/

Reviews

[Rahul]

Your writings're so smooth... i feel so relax reading your stuffs... it seemed you're a professional writer.
Nice write dear frnd. you've a great talent... you should have to publish your own magazine in market... what ya think !
nice flow of ink once again....
take care...

[Ken Simm.]

So nice of you to say these things my friend. I am flattered.

[Tree]

What a great name this Isle has, Iona. And your notes that accompany this well written and lovely piece helps to put it all in its proper context, both historically with the notes, and visually with your vivid language ––––and striking photography. Another merging trifecta of your art.

[Ken Simm.]

Thank you so much Diego. I am glad you enjoyed this.

[Sami Khalil]

"With the glory that is sunlight

Silver shining on an island sea.

The graves of Kings that are

Held in the wishes of an Irish saint

Illuminated with mysteries

And the stone churches of faith


Captured

With water baptised

And blood rinsed

Shining stone in the places of the ancient"
You have captured the history and arrival of Christianity along with the burial sites of kings in a great way and touched on the great natural beauty of that island. Well done as always...:)

[Ken Simm.]

I am honoured you think so, Sami. Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...you are welcome...:)

[Angi]

I have read stories about the people of the Hebrides and St Kilda, Ken! The Fulmers have taken over. Do any people even live there, anymore? I bet Fairies live in those old stone houses!

[Ken Simm.]

Iona is still inhabited. It even has a cathedral abbey built in the early years of the last century. The graveyard is full of Kings, Duncan, Macbeth and so on. As well as the monastery there was a nunnery with a Shelia-na- gig, (a celtic fertility symbol) over the doorway. Or it was when I was last there.
St Kilda is another matter. Once the inhabitants left it became a military listening post during the Cold war and it is now run by the National Trust for Scotland who look after the rare flora and fauna, (including the Fulmars). It also is a hell of a place to visit. And you are right the faires do live there.

[Ken Simm.]

http://www.isle-of-iona.net/attractions/historical/iona-abbey/

[Angi]

I would love to travel to Scotland and see the outlying islands. Thank you for this link, Ken.

[Ken Simm.]

You would enjoy them Angi. I am sure.

[Frieda P]

Why does your poetry always make me feel as though I've baptized and anointed with holy water. You are always a breath of fresh air Ken, this is beyond exquisite and I just want to stay here sighing for an eternity. I adore your poetry.

[Ken Simm.]

You say the nicest things to me Frieda. Truly I am honoured by your words.

[Chris]

I came by to retouch the Magyk...

Your flow drew me,
held me
lifted me
let me breathe.

I needed that.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

You honour me Sir. I am touched by your words.

[Chris]

I'm glad you're here man... you take care.

[Ken Simm.]

Same here Chris. Thank you.

[Marri]

I like very much 'the age of giants'. Sensual, tender, flying in the air veil over history.

[Ken Simm.]

I am grateful and thankful you like it Marri.

[Leslie Philibert]

For some reason I can read fantastic poems today...not only a great subject, but Ken manages superbly to capture the natural wildness here, the sea, the trees petrified, the sky, the history, the Book of Kells, this is a poem unified with the beauty and history of the subject, above and below...the skin of the land...very good !

[Ken Simm.]

Do you know Iona Leslie? It does things to people. I'm glad you like this my good friend.

[Cool Handless Luke]

a beautiful picture to start off with. and the poem is beautiful as well. you do have a way (as pete mentions below) of painting such a tapestry that has an epic feel to it. the landscape you throw into such descriptive words makes a person want to pack a bag, grab the passport and seek these places out. i am not always familiar with the history you work into your poems but for your effort i am rewarded by the hunger to learn of these times and places.
Giving of your life to a speck of dust lost in sanctified tracks


All seen with the final memory eyes
of a long dead friend.
Abandoned to the glory of your personal infinite
Whoever and whatever He may be

closing lines in beautiful strokes of vibrant color. all that's left is to put it in a frame.

[Ken Simm.]

If I have made you want to know more then I am grateful. Thank you so much for looking, liking and taking it further. If you wanted to visit this exceptional place you would be more than welcome.

[Pete Langley]

Wonderful, Ken. Your word painting of the whole historic and emotional vista is breathtaking. P.

[Ken Simm.]

I would advise everyone to visit Iona. Legend has it, if you go once, you will go three times. But make sure its an Iona day when the sun is shining. Yeah I know Scotland, sun shining, what do you take me for? Thanks so much my mate.