Centuries of habitation. Old houses abandoned for new ones beside. Stones overgrown with weeds. Flowers and grass indicating perhaps an older dwelling and hummocks a sign of something ancient.
Amongst the peace and solitude one senses the desolation overcoming those not suited. The island reclaiming each departed souls evidence of existence.
Tenacious Sea Pinks march across the layered rocks at the sea edge and dance to acknowledge the wind. A little further back, in the wild grass of the numerous stone enclosures, dazzling Yellow Vetch and purple Geranium Molle mingle in colourful exuberance.
New prosperity is arriving to Inishmore. New foreign faces from every corner of the globe step ashore daily from the mainland ferries. Bicycle hire, mini bus tours, pony and trap excursions bring employment and money where once there was hardship and struggle.
Nevertheless after the last ferry, the island reclaims it's own, leaving temporary residents in the hostels and guesthouses, who in turn are all gone at the end of the season.
What happens on Inishmore in winter when the westerly gales sweep in from the Atlantic? Do some of the inhabitants use their new prosperity to descend on other people, on other islands, in another hemisphere?
Do they long to be back on Inishmore when the days lengthen and the flowers awake from their winter slumber?
Delightful! Quite moving.
ReplyDeleteNot really anonymous as i am responding to my dads poem. it reminds me of a very rich few days we spent together. I think he catches the large degree of transitory nature of the island well and the photo in it's simplicity and all it stands for me personally is soul stirring. In partial connection to this photo (and writing) he also alludes what struck me personally at the very elemental sense of resillience and alive underlying power and beauty of the place.
ReplyDeleteIt is a place, of course that has seen a lot of tragedy and pain and hardship remains as well as humour music and creativity. It is a place i have spent quite some time on and i know (in conversation) that for many just eking out a living in the summer and making that last untill the next wave of visitors will suffice. In a way their dedication to stay on a place they love so much shines through even more for me (as well as possible family ties) even though prosperity for them is a distant concept as far as material means go.
For a few others, as my dad said there is rich rewards and travels to be had, good on em.