Poetry Forum

Another one from the past inspired by NM

Perspectives
(Reading MacCaig while Dylan strums)

Suilven, Torridonian, claims to be not
a Munro, to be well short of a Corbett.
He's a pyramid, a pillar, a leopard-skin pill-box hat,

How many years can a mountain exist
before it's washed to the sea?

an ageless inselberg above
the bogs, the lochans, the eroded gneiss
of Greenwich Village; its parish of guitar

Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
before they're allowed to be free?

and harmonica bars playing discord.
Only a tune to a man in Assynt;
this land now his property. His liberty.

Hi Elph,

This is great... another poem inspired by Norman MacCaig

Due to my lack of knowledge concerning most things, I'm unable to make much headway here at the moment. However, I just thought I'd pop in and mention that I like the 'leopard-skin pill-box hat'... and now the knowledgeable members of PG can take over

Best wishes,
Leaf

Leaf wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 30, 2019 6:54 pm

Hi Elph,

This is great... another poem inspired by Norman MacCaig

Due to my lack of knowledge concerning most things, I'm unable to make much headway here at the moment. However, I just thought I'd pop in and mention that I like the 'leopard-skin pill-box hat'... and now the knowledgeable members of PG can take over

Best wishes,
Leaf

Indeed, I remember this as well.

In the absence of such a person, Leaf, I will step in and note that the poem...or so I assume...is partly referring to a longer poem by MacC. Indeed, possibly his only longer poem. The poem is A Man of Assynt. Elph and I may have the advantage here, since we live in Scotland, where MacC is quite well known. I believe an extract can be found at the website of The Scottish Poetry Library.

https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/man-assynt-extract/

Spot on Seth.. inspired by the Crofters Trust and one of the first community land buy outs sometime in early 90s.

MacCaig holidayed and visited Assynt many times. A Man in Assynt is as you say one of his few (only?) long poems. Maybe not his best but certainly heartfelt

Elph

Thanks for the guidance, both. I've added this poem to my ever-lengthening Reading List

Best wishes,
Leaf

Yes, very good. I think I'd like it better without the Dylan interludes, though.

Cheers

David