Crown Island by Catherine Graham
by Steven McCabe
I am surrounded by Crown Island,
a weave of rock and sand; the waves
lap against me, sizzling white strings.
On my head sits the appointed crown,
stapled and fastened, now part of my mind.
My earrings of polished tin
take in the sun, moon, rain.
Each mirrored wave of a wave under water.
Someone must see to the world below.
I ask the sky. I flash at the Northern Lights,
twisting their capes like kaleidoscopes.
Black clouds cloud the black.
I shovel up the sea to check beneath the blue.
I’m looking for white wounds.
The cold is quick. Quick, enter me.
after “Ice Maiden” by Dorothy Molloy
from Her Red Hair Rises with the Wings of Insects, Wolsak & Wynn
Author of five poetry collections, Catherine Graham teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. www.catherinegraham.com
poemimage 
Great fluidity in word and picture.
Thank you Mike. Your words are appreciated and seen (especially) in the light of your knowledge of islands, images and fluid words.
The repeated image like a reel of film seems very appropriate to your work, Steven, as so much seems illuminated from an inner light. -Pushing layers of marsh grass, contrails and clouds, the occasional magnified thumbprint of some technician splicing remnants together, even sound waves projected across the sky. Moving readily then into a dark and still cool corner in some desert metropolis where a shaft- a triangle of bright sunlight cuts in to begin its work of illuminating and warming -thats your last image there. Thanks, Steven.
Thank you Jack,
I think the film strip idea works well here especially with the repetition of words and sounds in the poem and how images balance against each other. As I *intuited* the meaning of Catherine’s poem, while working away, it became larger, and I was very busy aiming and harmonizing the visual response. Splicing is a good word.
Now your thoughts have placed an illuminated manuscript (for reference) in the projection room.
As always enjoyed and shared on Poetry for Humanity
Thank you Heather for the share and the visit and the thought!
Beautifully done, Steven – these would look so great as a book.
Thank you Richard. That’s a great idea. The poem would make a great book.
One would have to work backwards: recreate the images on paper or canvas… as these are low res digital images/ except for the ink drawing. This would be an interesting process.
Reblogged this on Sonia Elizabeth Di Placido and commented:
Steven McCabe takes me into an ethereal visual journey after Catherine Graham’s Poems.
Thank you Sonia for reblogging and sharing Catherine’s poem with these images and for your generous words about ‘journey.’
Stunning Steven, as always. Ethereal. Evocative.
Thank you Sonia. For your thoughts and for sharing this page. Those are beautiful words: ethereal…evocative.
I think the elements dovetailed nicely here.
Thanks so much for sharing. A soulful treatment of Catherine’s soulful work.
Thank you for your thoughtful words. Karen. And I am glad you find this treatment synonymous to the mood and the method of Catherine’s poem. You have me thinking about the word ‘infused.’
What lovely comments from everyone, Steve. I shared this on Twitter. One viewer said: “Beautiful and mesmerizing.” Thanks again for responding to my poem so deeply. Honoured!
Hi Catherine,
I find the comments thoughtful, invigorating and enjoyable.
I appreciated the opportunity to work with such incisive imagery in your poem.
Thank you for these beautiful words!
from wonder into wonder…a dream of images flowing through my night…beauty
thank you John….somehow I find it wonderful you are reading & looking at this in the night….
Beautiful poem and images – ephemeral and evocative.
Thank you for visiting and your thoughts Judith. Ephemeral is one of those words that conjure ‘otherness…’ Lovely.
I am watching the sun rise – this pairs beautifully.
A meditation.
How perfect. Thank you.
Brilliant. Stunning. Visually, emotionally— thank you
Hello Robyn. Very glad you discovered the poem and images. Thank you for your visit and thoughts.