I visited Pennan

I visited Pennan

by R. Eric Swanepoel

(First published as "Pennans" in the Cellar Scene magazine. Cellar
Scene Publications, 282 Hardgate, Aberdeen AB10 6AA)

Pennan No. 1 (January)

Silk paintings and the sea:
Now an artists' sanctuary -
Beauty beyond the singing of it *.

Imagine one hundred, two hundred years ago,
When isolation was forever.

I visited Pennan in the New Year.
I walked where you had walked.
The same pebbles crunched, no doubt.

But the sea breeze had long dispersed your laugh
And your music was gone.

*Acknowledgements to Alan Paton for the asterisked line.

Pennan No. 2 (September)

It had to be the place of healing,
There, where most acutely I had felt you gone,
Drawn back by the special birthday of a special friend
(a friend in common, but uncommon are such as she.)

There, at last, we made music together,
And re-wove some warmth on that wonderful day,
Recognising each other's humanity
In rhythm, in melody,
Not least, in harmony.