New Poem - Unpublished - for 2013 collection

I have been listening silently
to the language of spirit

to a connection with this place
I chose to live and practice

It echoes deep within me
like ripples from a primal ocean

I forgot exists,
A wave set moving in darkness

by a pebble of Grace
acquired through stillness

that I might record through verse
the ordinary miracles

that surround us here
to hold gently to this

moment by moment awakening:

This is the place I belong

Body and soul
Atom upon atom
I belong as the falcon
I belong as the rocks
I belong as the mountains
I belong as the ocean:

Inner and outer have merged in marriage
My poems are our wedding song.

March 2009
Copyright Mark F chaddock

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

‘Where are you going?’ I ask
‘I just told you‘, she answers,
‘Half an hour ago’

I was reading her a Gary Snyder poem

‘ - the wideness, the
Foolish loving spaces

Full of heart.

Walking on walking,
Under foot earth turns

Streams and mountains never stay the same’

The door opens:

Light floods in mountains sea
Smell of rain
Conversation of flooded river

Then it closes again
And all that remains is an empty black chair
A woodstove fire

A washing machine on spin cycle.

Now she waters scarlet geraniums
With a faded
yellow
Long-spouted

plastic watering can

Carefully
On the bright silver
aluminium draining board

All grace curving arms
Soft light on sensuous neck

And tells me, ‘Your coffee is made’.

2/11/2011
copyright Mark F Chaddock 2011

INTO THE LIGHT

'Into The Light' is an autobiographical poem from one of my forthcoming books that condenses four early chapbooks - 'We Are Islanders - Selected early poems'. I was Winter mountain-walking in the English Lake District (over 20 years ago now) when I slipped and fractured my rt. tibia and fibula and was put in a bit of a life-threatening situation. However, one step at a time, I managed to limp off over a few hours using my ice-axe as a double-handed crutch. I wrote an article that was published in 'The Great Outdoors' magazine titled 'The Yorkshireman'. The Yorkshire man I met on the day will have to wait for another day's story, I#m afraid. I hope you enjoy the poem


Into The Light


And he walked
the high ridges
on the snowy roof of the world
dissolving in
and out of spindrift
when Winter storms ripped
sky opening doors to the Otherworld.

And I
walked with him -
a tightrope between
life and death
as we trod the high
whiteout places where
land and sky and air are one.

And when he left
I fell from the rope
crossed over to a place
of no shadows
a broken doll lay
snowbound
watching the shining
lakes down valleys,
felt that I might drift
to sleep forever.

And the Otherworld snow-walker hid,
I felt him
hiding in his half-reality
felt him treading
the light-blazed heights
half-in, half-out of existence
escaping ever upwards
into the Light.

Until I turned back in my pursuit
travelled miles over snowy peaks
back from the edge
the rim of the world
the door's slam blasting me back
back to Blencathra's storm-fast heights,
lay with fractures in Winter sunlight.

Until the whole of existence
became darkness and pain again.

Copyright Mark F Chaddock 2003

A HERMIT IN PARADISE

I'm currently busy working away on a number of writing projects, one of them being my next book collection of poems titled 'A Hermit In Paradise' to be published by Sea Eagle Poetry and launched in summer 2012 on Achill - venue to be decided.
It will be 3 years in May 2012 since my 1st full book collection 'The Ordinary Miracle' was launched by the Achill Heinrich Boll Committee.
One of my other projects is a book of 'We Are Islanders - Selected Early Poems' that is the result of condensing four early chap books of mine into this 60-poem collection. Launch dates to be announced.
It seems forever since I read in public, and I must admit I really do enjoy it. I may have to arrange to read some Christmas poems with the Big Day only five weeks away. Anyone out there feel like joining me? I'm serious.
For now here is a poem from the early poems book,
Happy Writing,
Mark



MISSING TREASURES?

Kildavnet lookout tower.
Ebony snakebirds.
Silver sound.
Silver seal heads carve silver wakes
In hill reflections
And hump-backed islands break the surface
Where Irish She-Pirate
Grainne-U-Aille
Once gazed upon.

And I wonder
Still autumn mornings,
Did she notice
The shag drying his wings,
The circling seals,
The Currane hills
And the silver, silver
Swathes of light?

Or did she
Scan horizons
Missing treasures at her feet?

New Images

Just recently I spent some time looking round the Pontoon area and in particular around lough Conn here in Mayo for potential images. Though an early morning start did yield some useful images this colour image was taken in the middle of the day. Contrary to summer, at this time of year the light can be good enough for worthwhile landscape photographs throughout daylight hours. The colour photo above was taken around noon on a very calm day which made it perfect for reflections. The hill is Nephin and this and its reflection were my subject that i constructed the image around. Though it is said rules are there to be broken, I would hasten to add that using some will always yield a better image than not using any. One of these with landscape photography and a subject like this is to use a wide-angle lens and find some foreground interest, in this case the small shrubs and rocks. If possible fill the frame with interest and arrange items so that the vieweres eye is led on a journey to your main subject. Here the eye travels from the foreground along the curve to the right and on to the distant hill and reflection. It is a composition that aesthetically pleases, nothing jars on the eye.
The other image was taken in the evening with the sun low near Mulranny, a lovely south facing village in County Mayo that has varied scenery from sea and sand, to estuary, hill and village. What this means is that a photographer's time is never wasted here. On this particular evening the low sun and backlit sheep were what attracted me. It was all about the light and I always feel these images work best in black and white which allows the viewer to appreciate the strong contrast without the distractions of colour. The main consideration was to prevent flare from ruining the image. A lenshood was used and this allowed just enough flare to complement the dramatic nature of the light without compromising the image.
Take care and happy shooting!

Scoil Acla 'Battle of The Trad Bands'.

Last evening 'The Battle of the Trad Bands' event, part of Scoil Acla's centenary celebrations was held at the Wavecrest Hotel, Dooagh, Achill. Here is a short clip of some local pipers at the opening. A 3 man band all the way from Ennis, Co. Clare, 'The Socks in The Frying pan', won the event and the E1000 prize. It was an excellent evening and a good time was had by all.

Rivers & Mountains

I thought I would show you this strange cloud photographed from my front door early one morning in January.
Achill Open Mic Night continues to go from strength to strength. For more info see 'Friends of Achill Open Mic' on facebook.
I did a residency at Heinrich Boll Cottage (thank you to Achill Heinrich Boll Association)here on Achill island in early February which allowed me to concentrate on my current poetry manuscripts. I am now looking for a publisher for this my 2nd full collection, though may publish under my own small press, 'Sea Eagle Poetry'.
Here are a couple of my most recent draft poems from my 'Rivers & Mountains series:

Spring Day

Saffron gorse paints the river's banks with joy,
mist filling valleys between faraway mountains.

Buds swell and birds travel in pairs singing from
garden trees and bushes. Daffodil, primrose

and blue starry flowers crowd about my door.
Miracles and bliss! Life unfolds from sleep!

(c) Mark F Chaddock

Frogs

Last evening after unceasing rains
croaking and cavorting in flooded drains.

Now, still and silent, spawn clumps
gleam in morning sunlight.

Only me to see them - and this parade
of yellow trumpet flowers greeting the day.

Live long and die well my little friends!

(c) Mark F Chaddock

The Ordinary Miracle reminder

The Ordinary M...

Poetry

By Mark F Chaddock

Book Preview

Morning Mist

The year has got off to a good start despite the bad winter. I am currently working on three poetry collections. One is based on the ancient Chinese style of 'Rivers and Mountains' tradition of nature poetry. I live in a semi-retreat type way and there is no shortage of wilderness in the views from my cottage, so it's ideal for writing in the austere style that typifies 'Shan-Shui'. Here is an example:

Morning Mist

Morning mist clings like silk to the mountain's flanks.
Sky becomes wondrous yellow and pink.

No end to these marvels from my retreat. Inside
and out, it's just the same lately.

Sat still and mindful with my gate closed, moonrise
is magical. And heaven's river sparkles away forever.

(c) Mark F Chaddock 2010

Evening

Winter afternoon. Half-lit alder trunks close by.
Rose-tinted, white clouds sail across the sky.

Difficult to convey such fleeting beauty, even
gilded grass-blades seem touched by a mystery.

A ragged ram feeds among willow-copse shadows.
A few short Buddha steps he’d be clothed in gold.

16th January 2010
© Mark F Chaddock

New Pen

You have the feel of a beautiful woman’s skin,
slippy and sensuous, my hands gliding

effortlessly as though, beyond lust or reason, this
were always their destination.

But it’s when I lift your small compact body
and undo you that you reveal your unmarred

perfection, so that I gaze upon your fine lines
and curves as if you were the beginning of the world.

Now, I come to use you for the purpose you
were made, your blood spilling my clumsy

inadequate words onto virginal white vellum.

24 Jan. 10
© Mark F Chaddock

Scoil Acla Centenary Opening

Images from Achill island's Scoil Acla Centenary Summerschool opening last evening (20th Feb) in Teddy lavelle's, cashel, Achill. I was fortunate to have a landscape image of mine selected for the front cover of the commemorative brochure - an image of Trawmore (Keel) strand and Innishgaloon island.

Morning Mist

Spectacular mist and cloud today. Clare island thrusts through mist moving from Clew bay into the Atlantic. Photographed with a Kodak compact digital on my lunchtime walk.

New Images

I've been busy shooting a few landscapes when time has allowed recently. Here are a couple of my more recent images. Both were taken on Achill island, the second looking to Croaghaun mountain after snowfall in february, the first looking south over the Atlantic on 1st Feb, the first day of Spring, St. Bridget's day, patron saint of animals.

Achill November Open Mike a Success!

Achill's November Open Mike Poetry and Music Night was a huge success. Despite there being a Force 10-12 storm in progress on the evening, a crowd of poetry and music lovers turned out to the 6th of these cultural evenings since they were started in June.
As usual, the venue was Gielty's bar at Dooagh, the most westerly pub on Achill island. The occassion was made even more special in that the first ever 'Special Guest' appearance was by local multi-talented singer-songwriter, Gareth McNamara from Currane, Achill. Those who braved the weather were treated to a variety of songs and instrumentals from the young man who plays harmonica, acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo and piano. On this occasion he played guitar, harmonica and banjo including his own songs and some folk numbers.
A variety of poetry including Christmas poems were read by myself, Ethna Johnston, Tessa Johnston, Eileen Chaddock and Marcus Colquhoun. Attending was Maura Mulligan, a New York writer who had just completed a two-week residency at Boll Cottage on Achill.
There will be no Open Mike in December but we hope to be back in January around Burns Night with a haggis, a piper and a few of the great Scottish bard's songs and poems.

Christmas Village Lighting-Up Ceremony

The other evening I slipped out to witness, and partake in, the blessing of the Achill Sound village crib and the switching-on of the Christmas tree lights.
Despite it being a fairly bracing and gusty night a fair crowd of villagers, including children, turned out. Everyone was in good spirits and a few carols were sung before the aforementioned crib was blessed and lit.
And then came the climax - the illumination of the Mayo County Council donated 15foot Christmas tree. Even I felt a little nostalgic, remembering Christmases past and anticipating that to come. I have to say, though, that tree was almost bare but for the lights, the wind rattling the lightbulbs like chattering teeth. Talk about a recession!
Then it was back to the local hotel for free light refreshment! (No pun intended).
I'm off for a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. Take Care :)

MAYO ARTISTS SHOW OPENING

Christmas Comes!!

Tis almost the Season to be Jolly. Christmas is fast approaching even as i write. Still managing to get out and shoot some landscapes. Light in Winter can be so dramatic, all the elements can arrive in an hour, so it's brilliant for photography of the outdoor variety.
As well as that I'm getting myself together to record a cd of my poetry in January - more about that in a future blog. And I'm setting my sights on my fast-approaching residency at Boll Cottage artists's retreat on Achill island at the beginning of February. I shall be working on my current poetry manuscript and gathering inspiration for new material.
Take care!

Success!!

I am pleased to say both my entries to the Mayo Artists Show were accepted by the judge. The launch is invitation only at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, at 7.30pm this friday, by the Mayor. Can't wait to mingle with other mayo artists and view the show which is always stunning in its scope. Opens to the public from Saturday through to January 30th 2010.

Mayo Artists Show

At last we are managing to enter it. For the last six years at least we have intended entering 'The Mayo Artists Show' - held bienially for some eight weeks from December through January b The Linenhall, Castlebar; this year we are finally going to enter.
It is a big show that invites artists from all over County Mayo, working in any medium, to enter. Space is limited - the competition will be stiff.
This year, for the first time ever I believe, there is a theme - 'Flight of Fancy'. This wasn't announced until quite late so we were at panic stations wondering what to enter. Suffice it to say we are now 'sorted' and Eileen will be entering paintings, and myself photography (I do paint occasionally).
So, fingers crossed we'll be accepted. Now to sort titles and prices - then that's it! Between next thursday and Saturday we shall have to take the eighty mile round trip to drop them off and anxiously wait the judges' decision - Yay or Nay. We hope it's Yay -