Under the shade of the Gibraltan rock

A poem I wrote on a cool, calm summer night in Gibraltar, as I watched sea gulls decorate the night sky with their fluttering wings; Ceuta and Morocco in the distance and the warm breeze of the Mediterranean upon my eyelashes

Under the shade of the Gibraltan rock

I hear the sounds of gulls content and gleeful

Poetically astute, angelically gifted

This is what life in pearl feels like

From stalactite caves to amiable apes,

laughs, grins, sighs, jeers and sneers

From marina colours to golden dawns

whitewashed facades and Iberian dreams

Gibraltar, you've made an admirer out of me

To Ceuta and Morocco I gazed from your lengths

And beyond into the distant horizon discreet

Your warm winds propel my day

Your bold rock anchors my stay. 

Amk. 

Gibraltar. Rocked to my core. Marina sunsets and subtle shades

The last five days have been some of the most inspiring of the year so far. June is a perenially colourful, sun-soaked month and nowhere has this been more veritable than at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula. This is the first set of several picture collections from the British protectorate of Gibraltar. This particular set of pictures was shot primarily on the rooftop of the Celebrity Wine Bar at the Ocean Marina, as the sun dinked under the far horizon and bathed the shadows in a crimson candescence that lasted on and on, an eternal symphony of light in slowly descending minor keys. 

In The Pitch of Night

A poem I wrote to commemorate the fulfilment of a dream, an inspiration, a dance, a revelry. To many more dances, revelries, dreams and inspirations, to the setting sun and the flickering stars. To you.


Through the looking glass I Peered
Upon a portal, dim, dwindled and veneered
The revolution be not mine if dance I may not
waylaid, wanted, villified by the pitch of camelot


Take me to the pitch of night
Yonder where the skies part and bluebirds take flight
Wake me from these staccato dreams
Shuddering, plundered. Ripped from the seams
For in this bliss of Eden lie no truths, just sweetness and light

Amk

Scenery and sense

Snippets of Copenhagen's summer blush. The bloom of the year brings a smile to everyone's face. This city has never looked more beautiful. 

Blågårds Apotek on a tranquil summer eve

After five manic days of Distortion fever left the city streets bent and knock-kneed, Copenhagen has returned to her usual tranquil state.

A relaxed evening of instrumental music, dimly-lit confines, friends, fun and laughs at the lively Blågårds Apotek was exactly the sort of Wednesday night inspiration one needs every now and again. Thank you to Paula Tebbens, Edoardo Bottalico, Danny Malone, Benjamin, The Greek and I (a.k.a. The Greek and Die when mispronounced !) and everyone else who made tonight a memorable occasion.  

Another inspiration on the night was a certain Ole Erdmann, architect turned poet / artist.  Several years ago, Ole had a serious stroke that left him in rather a dire state. Facing the prospect of enduring brain damage, crippled limbs and slim chances of ever returning to a normal life, Ole discovered he could rhyme and write prose during his rehabilitation period.  Since then, the man has gone on to publish an inspiring book entitled "10 Crazy Poems, About Living with a Brain Injury." Ole has also painted several works of art that are for sale at Blågårds Apotek, where he has become something of a regular, with his humour, stories and quick wit. What's even more stunning is that these paintings have been made with his right hand (following partial paralysis of his left arm)

Ole lives his life the way many ought to, knowing all too well what it means to live and to be alive. He is an inspiration to not merely his own generation but to us all.  A free version of his book can be found at the following link:


http://www.oleerdmann.dk/pix/Crazy_poems_aug_2009.pdf

Distorted

Thanks Distortion and thank you dear Copenhagen for one of  the most epic Distortion festival's yet ! From pool parties in DGI byen, to bridge bashes, street gaffs and that stunning party bus ! Distortion 2011, you will be sorely missed !