Art and Iona

Because of the incredible light,

color

and natural typography 

of Iona, 

it has long attracted

artists

of all persuasions...

Two, very different, pieces of art 

came home with me

as souvenirs of a life changing trip.

The one above
of the North End Beach
where I spent so much time
was created by

Gordon Menzies

The one below, by artist, 

Lynne Kerr.

is watercolor on hand crafted paper, 

using silk strands

and, in this case, sheep's wool,

to create a lovely piece,

evocative of the sea

and the coasts

of the Scottish isles.

Wordsmiths also find rich ground

for inspiration

and the poems of

Kenneth Steven became new favorites.

Resolution

And suddenly the sun broke through the sky

And I was home, a broad Atlantic

Stumbled over rocks and creamed in rage

A tug of storm hung low across the shores

Water color blue and broken green.

How did I lose my way or once believe

That there were riches bigger than this simplicity

Or that any other tide could speak, or heal

The wounds of searching deeper cut than pain

Where here I stood by heaven hearing God?

Love, love, love it!

And the one below so perfectly sums up my experience

I feel the poet was living inside my head...

poor Kenneth!

Is this place really closer to God?

Is the wall thin between our whispers

And His listening? I only know

The world grows less and less -

Here what matters is conquering the wind,

coming home dryshod, getting the fire lit.

I am not sure whether there is no time here

Or more time, whether the light is stronger

Or just easier to see. That is why

I will keep returning to this place

That is older than my understanding,

Younger than my broken spirit.

Sometimes

in

all

the

rush

and

hurry

of

our

lives

we

need

so

much

just 

now

and

then

to 

find

an

                                                                         island.

Friends,

I've been lucky enough to have several islands in my life -

and all of them have helped shape me,

by defining who I am

and how I want to live.

But none of them 

more than Iona.

I'm making plans to use the insights,

dreams

and peace

I found there 

to shape the rest of my life.

I'm excited

and terrified - 

not necessarily 

in that order

and certainly

not in equal measure. 

All shall be well...

(Note to self

repeat daily, 

as needed!)