prose-poem encounter at boundaries of place, season and magic

more at: 

https://stevedsmart.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/harestane-moment/

https://substack.com/home/post/p-174846084

harestane moment

A response to John Knox's 'The First Blast of The Trumpet Against The Monstruous Regiment of Women' (written 1558)

A collaborative performance with Jonathan Lamy. First performed at Rally & Broad 'The Ampersand Sessions', Edinburgh in February 2016.

The First Blast To Awaken Women Degenerate

Poem written and performed by AF Harrold.

Revels Without Applause

If It's Not Broken...

From 1999, National Poetry Day has been themed; this year’s theme of ‘change’ is meant to kickstart inspiration rather than be prescriptive. So whether it’s political and social change, or the regeneration of the 13th Doctor Wha, the only constant is change.

We've chosen six poems to represent the theme of 'change', including 'Wooly Bear' by Valerie Gillies. Is it the poem really about a bear? Valerie Gillies describes the changes in a caterpillar's life.

Wooly Bear by Valerie Gillies

Alex South - ‘The Path of the Unseen Whale’ (2019) for Bass Clarinet and Electronics

In his book ‘Leviathan or, The Whale’ (2008), Philip Hoare writes of the track left by the whale's flukes through the sea, “as still as a pond even in rough seas”. Both the early whalers and Inuit do not cross it, the latter out of respect, “seeing this qaala – ‘the path of the unseen whale’ – as the animal's mirror into our world, and our mirror into its own.” This piece is primarily based on a field recording of a humpback whale made by Ellen Garland and Dr Michael Poole in September 2015 off the South Pacific island of Mo’orea (French Polynesia).

http://drmichaelpoole.com/
http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=ecg5

The Path of the Unseen Whale (DEMO)

One of the many Gaelic songs collected by Hamish Henderson

Lyrics

Dhannsadh, gun dannsadh, (We would dance, we would dance)
Dhannsamaid le Ailean; (We would dance with Alan)
Dhannsadh, gun dannsadh, (He would dance, He would dance)
Dhannsadh Ailean leinn. (Alan would dance with us)


Ruidhleadh Màiri Tàillear, (The Tailor's Mary reeled)
Dhannsadh Màiri Tàillear, (The Tailor's Mary danced)
Ruidhleadh Màiri Tàillear, (The Tailor's Mary reeled)
Gus na dh'fhàs i tinn. (Until she grew sick)

Ged bha Màiri crùbach (Though Mary was awkward)
Agus car 'na glùinean, (and knock-kneed)
Dhannsadh i gu sunndach (She danced happily)
Air an ùrlar ghrinn. (on the fine floor)

harestane moment

Steve Smart

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