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Emily Dodd - An article about creative Connections on Colonsay

I spent a week on the Island of Colonsay on a SpeyGrian creative connections course and met two of what I'd consider to be, the most brilliant people I've ever had the privilege of meeting. Kenny Taylor and Gerry Cambridge.

Why did they make such an impression on me? I think it's because they enjoyed being themselves. They were enthusiastic about the outdoors and nature, writing, drinking single malts, they played instruments, they had an passion for life that was fun and infectious.

For the first time I started to feel totally at home in who I was too. They encouraged me to be myself and even liked my puffin poem (Kenny turned out to be a world expert on puffin behaviour as well as writing scripts for David Attenborough, how cool is that?).

These people were alive and in their element. Being creative and geeky can be lonely at times. You can feel alone in your own head even if you do have wonderful friends. There's nothing more freeing that enjoying the unique person you were created to be and in the process, you never know who you might help to bring freedom to along the way. Here's my poem in salute of Kenny and Gerry (and with many references to the trip).

Ode to Kenny and Gerry

(Kenny)
With a passion for puffins 
and whisky and wild things
For history and writing, 
you rock those guitar strings

Like a corncrake 
I like to hear you at night
And you'll run up a hill 
when the sun's shining bright

(Gerry)
With a laugh so triumphant
and snoring impressions
Your eyebrows exquisitely 
communicate expressions

Like a dragonfly,
Just hatched and pristine
You notice the detail 
and beauty unseen.

(Kenny and Gerry)
Like an ancient woodland, you're a joy to discover
Then Hektor envelopes, the bombastic brother

Like an 18 year old Glenfiddich, unexpectedly sweet
Smooth and melodious, your voices and feet

Like a stuffed bison head, you're sturdy and sure
You wait for the stragglers, you make peace not war

And when you're together , it's familiar and fun
To Kenny and Gerry, I salute you anon.

Follow Emily on Twitter & her book 'Banana me beautiful' on Facebook.

Read more from Emily on her blog or on Greener Leith.

 

 

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