1333. Willow, Fall Sea Gales
First morning light, blustery walk on stone-piledBeach, skies red-streaked, father with me, pipe Puffing, fishing boots, walking along side (or Far ahead), concerns for dirty weather on Outer Hebridean Isles....
1310. Willow, Torn Seasons
Gale blowing offshore, swirling rain and snow, Obscuring nearby sea-stacks, Papa and I were Cottage bound, thrust together by dirty weather. Gusting winds, rhythmic thumping of front Door, papa lit...
1309. Willow, Guiding Lantern Light
Whilst spring had arrived, days and nights Seemed just as long, seas as cold, yet fishers Took to cresting waves, lowering nets alongDistant rocky isles, coves and bays up andDown...
1308. Willow, Spring Stream Flowing
“Our stream will flow again, Willow,” papaPromised, pipe puffing. “Hard winter for Island crofters, hearth fires, cooking pot,Ice melting, first few bubbles for morning Tea, stirabout. Slow-ticking clock, we awaited...
1290. Willow, Pale Moonlight
[caption id="attachment_13876" align="alignright" width="150"] "Portrait of a Woman," Zinaida Serebriakova, 1923, WikiArt.[/caption] Pale moon, cold light shadow-casting, family Cottage empty, parents gone, sleepless nights, I, Willow, find no peace amongst...
1289. Willow, Family Memories
[caption id="attachment_15148" align="alignright" width="150"] "Girl with Long Hair," Gustav Klimt, 1898-99, WikiArt.[/caption] At sunset, I turned my eyes from sea to hills Behind me, gathering evening mist, low- Lying clouds...
1287. Willow, Eternal Boatmen
[caption id="attachment_8754" align="alignright" width="150"] "Mignon," William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1869, WikiArt.[/caption] Where have I been? With sickness, many Have died, remaining disappeared. Days of Rain, dreams beyond reach, island life was Cloud-obscured....
1282. Willow, Song of Fair Isles
[caption id="attachment_17809" align="alignright" width="150"] "Louise Love to Climb the Summit..." N. C. Wyeth, 1907, WikiArt.[/caption] How many hills does an island make, streams And pasturelands? It’s not what’s underfoot, But...
1281. Willow, Island Old Age
[caption id="attachment_13876" align="alignright" width="150"] "Portrait of a Woman," Zinaida Serebriakova, 1923, WikiArt.[/caption] Where does old age come from? Years island- Spent, amongst things unchanging, ebb and Flow of tides, surf...
1276. Willow, Death of Fenella
[caption id="attachment_11140" align="alignright" width="150"] "Portrait of an Old Woman," Guido Reni, 1630, WikiArt photo.[/caption] Illness swept our island, young, elderly, Too weak against taught rope, straining Pull, deep cough, dark...