FrasMac Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Hi, not far from the island of Arran in the Firth of Clyde is a great volcanic plug formed from granite which goes by the name of Ailsa Craig. Most of the world's curling stones were at one time quarried from its heights. A poet who has had a great influence on me is Norman MacCaig, a Scotsman of whom Seamus Heaney once said, "He means poetry to me." I wrote this a couple of years ago as a kind of tribute to his enduring influence on the poetic landscape of Scotland. Ailsa MacCaig (for Norman MacCaig) There’s a great stone edifice in my view, most days. Granite, full of curling stones sent to polish my plain thinking. Their weight keeps my back curved to their honed perfection, their voice is like the wind, sweeping constant, and then, like mountains kissing. When the Craig is clouded, the day is dulled, like my lesser mind. 7/12/15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Ailsa Craig Hi Mac / Fraser, I love this poem. It is clear, fluid with unique images and informing me of people and places with which I am not familiar. Awesome! Now I have to investigate a poet I've not heard of, I'm excited to discover. ~~Tink Ps... Yes, I remember, we have met before. At this forum which do you prefer, Fraser or Mac? Quote ~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~ For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrasMac Posted October 26, 2018 Author Share Posted October 26, 2018 Thanks Tink. His "A Man in Assynt" is considered his magnum opus, but he wrote so many that are like living scenes even decades later. One of my favourites is "Stars and Planets" http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poets/norman-maccaig I'm easy with Fraser, Fras or Mac or anything really. Just no "z" or "i" in it, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Mac, Thanks for the link. I am linking this poem to the discussion thread to Barry's Isle of Arran. I'm adding Stars and Planets to the Forum A Poem I Read Today. Thank you for the introduction, I like Mac Caig's work. ~~Tink Quote ~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~ For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger11 Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 9 hours ago, FrasMac said: Hi, not far from the island of Arran in the Firth of Clyde is a great volcanic plug formed from granite which goes by the name of Ailsa Craig. Most of the world's curling stones were at one time quarried from its heights. A poet who has had a great influence on me is Norman MacCaig, a Scotsman of whom Seamus Heaney once said, "He means poetry to me." I wrote this a couple of years ago as a kind of tribute to his enduring influence on the poetic landscape of Scotland. Ailsa MacCaig (for Norman MacCaig) There’s a great stone edifice in my view, most days. Granite, full of curling stones sent to polish my plain thinking. Their weight keeps my back......................................this took me away from the mind curved to their honed perfection,......................a straightback rather than curved is the positive? their voice is a wind.........................................................to cut the amount of like in the poem sweeping constant, and then, like mountains kissing................................................like that image, its drama and ambition When the Craig is clouded, the day is dulled, like my lesser mind. 7/12/15 hi Fraser, Enjoyed your poem. The connection with the curling stones was interesting. The thread to your own mindset worked. Not sure about building the poem on so much simile so made a suggestion there. welcome to PMO cheers Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrasMac Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 Hi Phil, thanks for your considered input it is appreciated. The curved back is reference to the actions involved in the act of curling, which involves effort but is at the same time very studious, like reading fine writing. (in my mind, at least thats the image I was going for) Point taken on the wind, nowadays I try to avoid "like" more. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger11 Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 Quote The curved back is reference to the actions involved in the act of curling, which involves effort but is at the same time very studious, like reading fine writing. (in my mind, at least thats the image I was going for) Interesting Fraser. Coming back to this I'm picking up on the shaping - stone edifice to curling stone to curler. Then there is the thread back to the origin with the wind and kissing mountains. My initial reading was directed to the mindset because of the conclusion. May be a thought to accentuate the positive and drop the concluding lesser mind lines. Just a thought Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrasMac Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share Posted October 27, 2018 thank you Phil, I really appreciate the time you've taken over this one. I hope I can return the compliment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 The last line... Excellent! Lesser mind, indeed. Enjoyed. Many Thanks, Dr. Con Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 I enjoyed reading this fine work and the ensuing discussion. Thank you for both! Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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