A special poetry picnic was hosted by the Cumbrae Contemporary Poetry Society last month.

The poetry meeting was opened with the result of the winning ‘Cludgie’ poem of which there were fifteen entrants. Bill Torrie Douglas was the judge and Frances Melling was awarded her engraved bronze medal for her rendition, ‘Sacrifices,’ a humorous look at the Cumbrae toilet dilemma.

The picnic began with ‘taking a walk with nature,’ the broad aim being to keep in the touch with and be inspired by surroundings using associated poetry. The group visited the Cathedral graveyard with the splendid Yew trees in each corner and the aura of solemnity and grace touched with a quaint sadness which permeates this beautiful spot. Poets were asked to identify a ‘Naturalist’ and then James Hardy read a poem dedicated to the work of this Cumbrae biologist, entitled, ‘Death of a naturalist.’ The famous poem by Elizabeth Frye, ‘Do not stand at my grave and weep,’ lifted spirits with such words as; ‘ When you awake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.’ Bill Torrie Douglas read a poem in Scots based on a visit to a graveyard.

The next stop in the stunning grounds of the Cathedral was the Celtic maze leading the group into a more solitary and meditative mood as one by one they walked and thought. Some used the poem provided, called, ‘Walk with us,’ as a meditative chant.

Then the group went into the forest and a spot was selected at the base of a tall Scots Pine surrounded by the abundance of Sycamore trees with their ‘keys’ dancing in a light breeze amongst swirling mist and the coming and going of fine drizzle. The poets lay on their backs in a circle around the trunk, linking hands and a long period of silence ensued so as to be lost in thought, watch the boughs moving against the sky, listen to the leaves rustling - in short getting ‘at one’ with the elements. Thus invigorated the group reformed and read poems. Bill Torrie Douglas read a poem, ‘The Forest,’ by Pablo Neruda and Ian Banks read, ‘Poem in October,’ by Dylan Thomas.

The final visit was reached after a walk though the forest into a clearing which overlooks Millport bay. The poets saw how the light opened up the gloom under the trees. From this outlook one can see the yachts gently bobbing at moorings and in the distance Portencross Castle and Ailsa Craig. The group read, ‘Clearing’ poems by Jacob Annis and Martha Postlewaite and then Bill Torrie Douglas concluded the walk with a fine rendition of the poem, ‘Afterwards,’ by Thomas Hardy.

Back at the Cathedral with a hungry group the picnic began and one member was heard to say that such an outing had acted as, ‘a relaxant stronger than calming medication could supply.’

If you would like to join the group as a visitor to have fun and enjoy the stimulation of poetry, the next event will be held at the Cathedral of the Isles, art centre, at 11am Saturday on August 12. The topic is; ‘What matters to you?’ The poets will be discussing the merits and limitations of the ‘rant,’ in poetry and all are invited to bring their own pet projects. It promises to be the opposite of the quiet meditative contemplation held at the picnic!