Funking Duck: Not The Grayest Notion

Another of fellow Dorset based poet CJ Harrington's pieces set to music

Check out his soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/c-j_harrington and website https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcjharrington.co.uk%2F&token=19a002-1-1615131688735

THE RAVEN
The dark bird caws an aching creak, jarring
high in the branches of my twisted hazel

Light drips thickly - like warm blood or hot metal -
from the anvil angles of its beak, cuts short
breeze, divides still water, and settles
deep in the silence of the little pond beneath

It is not the tawdry light of the mind
where still limbs, still torso, still breath pull close -
become justified - where truth is vulnerable to age

Nor is it the light of secret gardens, of mists
unsettling and godless clarity eclipsing everything

An illusive bat mapping shady new worlds
by shriek and wail.  The old owl's careful murders
These fears swoop in the cool of night

But this raven comes with the light.  Hopping and strutting
Gently tip tap tapping.  Its black glint encumbering
ornamental cherry trees, beach and oaks with ease

And it brings the white-hot light of fear.  The clarity of danger
The fat weight of doubt that lingers near
The crack in peace.  The spark of both death and change

The Raven (featuring the Poetry of CJ Harrington)

Sleep; restful sleep that is disrupted  by a disorientating and somewhat disturbing dream. Only partially inspired by the poem "Intimations of Immortality" by William Wordsworth but the composition title does come from a line in the poem.
I would recommend this poem. To me I find it very moving. At the start of the poem the poet regrets the passing of a time (as a young child) when everything in nature seemed "as if apparelled in celestial light". Now he tries to and partially/fleetingly reclaims that feeling but anxiety and despair creep back. From my 21th. C atheist viewpoint his "intimations of immortality" seem quite forced and wishful thinking. The poem, however, is very moving and resonates with partially formed thoughts that it stimulates in the reader.

The Fields of Sleep

Part of a series of compositions exploring a more sort of streamlined style and simplicity. Hope you enjoy!

Longer, Bluer Suns

20 9 30

Solo cello and ethereal drones for vast open spaces.

Acheter

Ice Plains

Written December 2025. Orchestra.
Ring, Unknown, 1500/1550.

Pietà (4)

Replica

Any feedback welcome ---
This is a work in progress, one track of my new album. It is not mixed / mastered, even not finished... just wanted to share to have some feedbacks because it takes me soooo long time to finish my projects...

Merveilles W.I.P.

I Hear you in Every Echo

Pre Vocal for my friend Tiff, about how her dad loves her but don't wanna let her shine, overprotective

Daddy Let Her Shine Pre Vocal

A footnote to the recent Wall Gazing EP, Spring seems to be starting to poke her head out, with a bit of hope and optimism with her. Themes of life emerging seem pretty poignant right now.

The title is a nod to April 5th by Talk Talk, which is also the date it will be released to streaming platforms. Frankly Talk Talk and Mark Hollis' long fascination and beautiful exposition of the subject, should be the last word on the coming of Spring, though what can i say, these are special circumstances.

Here She Comes

I was born in Leicester in the late 1950's. Since semi-retirement and subsequent retirement (as a Dermatologist and formerly G.P) I have spent some of my spare time trying to learn music theory. I also enjoy long distance running as well as cycling, skiing and tennis. I enjoy cooking, gardening and growing a few vegetables. And fine wine (in moderation). I enjoy insect photography, with a particular interest in hoverflies..
To my regret I never learnt a musical instrument when younger but I have listened to and been fascinated by music for as long as I can remember. The advent of the computer age has allowed me to pursue my desire to compose music. I use Logic Pro X software (and MuseScore3 for recent piano compositions). My compositions reflect my varied listening preferences (including Contemporary Classical, Jazz and  Music from other cultures around the world).

The Fields of Sleep

SFJ