Writing & chickens at Comraich, Kilmichael Glen

The other afternoon I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with some fellow writers overseen by author Marian Pallister at the lovely retreat of Comraich. Sent out into the sunshine to find inspiration it was hard to know where to start, but I was charmed by the chickens ....

Comraich Chickens Part I
The red wattle of the elder statesman, jowl-like and pendulous,
wobbles and shudders as he stiffly stalks past.
 
Fluffy undergarments on show, tiny pink combs
perched just so, the young girls trip ahead.
 
Matrons, bosomy and usually bustling, sit and doze
dazed by the afternoon’s heat.
 
Yellow pollen pannier’d bees buzz busily
in and out of blooms
 
Birds twitter, an ant scurries across a stick
A weathered white whelk shell spirals out
From between the rocks on which I sit.

Photographed in the act of composing a pome.... or at least writing some more observations on chickens ...

​Comraich Chickens Part II
From within the acid yellow bright ragwort,
The frothy cream of meadow sweet,
Amongst the cool green swirl and furl of ferns
Comes a chattering chirp, a gentle chunter,
Drying grasses rustle and part.
The regal rooster and his hareem appear
From the shadows into the sun.
Full of purpose, bright eyes sharply peer
Seeking out the next seed, ant, or fly.
A bluetit watches as they pass by,
Perched high in the leaves of a lime,
Then he too about his business goes.

Have just entered a couple of short pieces to the Tarbert Book Festival ... eek!  It's the first time I've entered a competition & I won't hear for a while so I'm not going to hold my breath! 

Meanwhile in the studio I've been sketching some simple oystercatcher designs as well as puffins and sail boats for screen printing onto tea towels and cushion covers.  It's something I've been planning since before Christmas but haven't had a chance to do.  Looking forward to some inky fun next week!

More again soon
​Kx