The Troublesome Human Psyche…..Marwick Walk...
by Bernie Bell - 09:34 on 18 February 2024
The Troublesome Human Psyche…..
I read this…
…which contains this…
'My own heart let me more have pity on'
My own heart let me more have pity on; let
Me live to my sad self hereafter kind,
Charitable; not live this tormented mind
With this tormented mind tormenting yet.
I cast for comfort I can no more get
By groping round my comfortless, than blind
Eyes in their dark can day or thirst can find
Thirst's all-in-all in all a world of wet.
Soul, self; come, poor Jackself, I do advise
You, jaded, let be; call off thoughts awhile
Elsewhere; leave comfort root-room; let joy size
At God knows when to God knows what; whose smile
's not wrung, see you; unforeseen times rather — as skies
Betweenpie mountains — lights a lovely mile.
As thirst can be all-consuming in a world of wet – a person who is in the Pit or the Wasteland, can be surrounded by love and not be able to see it. They feel/see themselves as being isolated - loveless – in a world of love. It can be a true horror....
https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/04/13/the-pit-the-wasteland/
I’m not there now - I have been – go there sometimes. The dread-full thing is – as Gerard knew - it’s all in yourself – and the solutions are in yourself – but, by God – it’s hard work accessing those solutions. Your own fear gets in your way.
But, as Gerard says – there is light – which can beam through and illuminate a long way ahead – right through the mountains of doubt and fear - when we are able to see it.
Gerard Manley Hopkins is one of my most-loved poets. He expresses exactly what he wants to express – and how he does so, is just right.
He speaks to me – and I wish, I wish he could have been happy. I know – then we wouldn’t have his poetry – but – I’d prefer that he was happy. Maybe he is now.
After reading this and writing that – I went out for a walk, ate Mac Cheese & chips in the Pier Café, chatted with folk in the Stromness bookshop – kept going - still have the sense of un-ease – but I know that it will pass.
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Marwick Walk….
We went to Marwick Bay, where we’ve been many times….
https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/04/20/orkney-walks-marwick-bay-left-or-right/
A recent addition is ‘Anna Bakes’ – a little ‘shed on legs’ which will contain yummy cakes for sale in the holiday season – empty now – but worth knowing about…
The stream which crosses the beach was in full, angry flow……
If you’ve ever wondered that’s inside a stoat-trap…
I emailed the Orkney Native Wildlife Project …
https://www.orkneynativewildlife.org.uk/
…to let them know, in case they want to retrieve the mechanisms – waste not want not.
Just because I like bits of old metal – not that keen on Heavy Metal – just old metal…
At the end of the Bay we walked up the cliff path as far as the bench, and watched waves crashing into a small gully…..
Here’s a stoat trap which is going no-where!...
After a cold, windy walk we went into Stromness to the Pier Café for Mac. Cheese & chips/Baked Tattie with tuna – just the job.
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