Tuesday 9 November 2010

The World Is Awhirl...

All day and all night the sea has pounded. And as a heavy swell is foretold, the wind and rain come in as though on winter's wings.
For the world is awhirl with tempest and storm, and crashing, turbulent wildness.


Somewhere along the coast two little houses lie side by side, look there, do you see? They lie snug in the hollow, in the midst of the squall, where the mothers light fires and tend to their sickly babes,
and always, always keep on eye on that swell.


Yes, this time of year, from now until spring, we are obsessed with the sea, with it's height and breadth and depth, for the threat of a swell is a menace, you see, as we, and our neighbours, can attest. The great monstrous Swell that has been known to rage and heave itself up out of it's bed, rushing at these little houses in formidable waves.
So we put sandbags in place, and we wait. Mindful of just how small we are to the power of the sea.


So here we sit by our fires, these faithful households who endure such peril, and all for the love of living in this place of unequaled, immeasureable beauty!
And we raise a glass, or maybe a cup of tea, to the sea, with respect. For we are at your mercy. And as we lie in our cosy beds, and the freezing rain blows in, wrapped in dreams of tossing ships and stranded strangers, somewhere in the depths of our sleep we do have one ear open.

Photo of me taken by Lisa.
Our houses lie about one hundred meters behind where we stand...

For we are always, always keeping an eye...

10 comments:

Stephanie V said...

And,yet, the sun is washing everything with a rosy glow. How beautiful, the power of the sea.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Such wonderful images you capture...very interesting blog!

Dreamfarm Girl said...

Love the energy in this piece...I can feel the play, the tension between the stormy seas and the calm houses. Stay safe, warm and dry!

nà from the treehouse said...

Lovely photos and truly enchanting words! Got lost just reading it...

Martin said...

Ciara, I never tire of hearing your wonderfully sensitive descriptions of life and living.

Gemma Mortlock said...

Ciara your posts are so beautiful!
I hope you dont mind but this post inspired me to write a poem which i have dedicated to you on my blog....http://sandyfloorboards.blogspot.com/
Your way with words is magical,
Happy Wednesday
Gem
x

Sadhbh @ Where Wishes Come From said...

Your post brought memories of Hurricane Charlie in 1986 flooding (ha!) back to me. Since then, and even though flood works were done on the river near my parents house, my Dad still walks over to the riverbank, stout stick in hand, to measure the depth whenever the weather gets wild!

Sixteen Chickens said...

That is a wonderful photo of you!

Kate said...

My mum lives about 100 yards from the sea n the Northumberland coast. And when the sea rages - everyone listens. You are right.

Karen said...

What a wonderful place you live! Amazing. x