Between. Not here, not there, not anywhere. That’s what I feel like when I travel, especially when I travel alone, which is how it is mostly these days. In transit I am someone else; I am subtly different. I am an extension of my bags, a parcel of possibility. The responsibility for getting ‘there’ is outside … Continue reading Between
I’ve not been feeling well lately and so I’ve been moping around, achieving little. At least that’s what I tell myself, whilst successfully discounting those bits and bobs I am getting done between bouts of inactivity. Yet all I can focus on is the inactivity, which is very unfashionable these days, to be slothful, unless … Continue reading What Am I Doing?
St. Patrick’s Day came early for me when I attended a Scottish-Irish poetry event during the week. One of the poets was a young Dubliner called Stephen James Smith. Without reference to paper or book, he delivered a long, lyrical, swiftly paced poem called, ‘Dublin You Are.’ He captured us. It was a love poem … Continue reading Ireland, My Ireland
One year ago today I moved to Edinburgh. The standard 365 days ago - this year wasn’t a leap year. It was a Saturday and there was no snow. In fact, as I drove into Edinburgh in the gloaming and up parked on the main thoroughfare to unload my full-to-the-brim Mini Clubman, my memory is … Continue reading New Beginning
I’m heading home later today, to the north coast of County Antrim. It’s not long since I’ve been there, just over three months, and although I don't live there anymore, and I’ve not lived there for any great length of time in twenty odd years, I still look on it as home. I suppose I … Continue reading Longing and Belonging
My Edinburgh Press 