The French For Death
I trampled ants for kicks on the quay at Dieppe, dawdling
by the desk where they wouldn’t take yes for an answer;
yes, it was our name and spelled just so –
we shook our heads at Moor and Maud and Morden,
dad traced phonetics in Oldham’s finest guttural.
Rope swung from the captain’s fist
and flayed the water. I saw him shudder, troubled
by a shift of air or a vision of our crossing: glower of thunder,
the lurch and buckle of the ferry, a thick Alsatian
with a face like Cerberus ushering us in to port
and I looked him in the eye, popped my bubblegum,
a child from the underworld in red sandals
and a t-shirt made by Disney, not yet ashamed
by that curt syllable, locked, cold to the tongue,
its hush of the morgue, not yet the girl
who takes the worst route home
pauses at the splayed mouths of alleyways
and looks straight past you as we kiss, as if to pick out
small behind your left shoulder, the spindle of a shipwreck,
prow to a far country.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Poems by Helen Mort
Friday, 25 January 2008
From the Alameda Gardens
Another misty Winter day in Ronda, looking south west towards Jimera, which is totally obscured by cloud. We should have a course in January, when there are so many contrasting days, with mist, cloud, sun, but unfortunately rain as well, and no guarantee which we would get.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
CdR 2008
We are now in 2008 and Jimera had its usual crowd in the square for the bells at New Year and again on the evening of the 5th of January - King's Day - when the three wise men came to the village bearing gifts for the children.
Our gift, such as it is, should make some of you happy.
CdR 2008 will run from 1st to 7th September, with Don as tutor.
There will be 8 places, some of which are pre-allocated to those who lost out last time. If you are interested, email us.
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Spring
In a hidden valley above Jimera, where the almond trees are covered in blossom and the ground covered with irises. The wild flowers in the early months of the year are breathtaking. Swathes of yellow, red, blue and white.
Jimera in the evening
The westerly aspect of the village means that in summer the sun shines on the village until late in the evening.
On the road to Jimera
Jimera is tucked into the mountains. You can just see the top of the church above the first ridge.
The garden of the Guadiaro
The part of the Guadiaro valley where Jimera is situated has its own micro climate which allows oranges and other fruits to flourish in addition to the almonds and olives typical of the area.
Jimera looking south west
The village does not get the same valley mists and winter rain that affect villages nearer the coast. Often, the sky is clear when Cortes de la Frontera, the next village to the south west, is hidden by cloud.
Near the village
Surrounding the Village there are numerous tracks and paths, some dating back to roman times and beyond, which you can follow and find a quiet spot to sit and read or write. Or just sit.
The swimming pool at La Jara
Don't forget your swimming costumes, although a few prefer the more social aspect of the village pool.
El Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas in winter
It doesn't snow very often, but, when it does, it is a big event. Here at the Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas (Pass of the Drunken Holm Oaks), there was enough snow two years ago to close the road for a day. The next day though, it was sunny, if a bit cold.
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