The sun is moody in the quickening sky. The wind a counterpoint to my restless dreams, snaking into my tumbled arms and calling within my night reveries. I lingers on my skin long into day, like the kisses of a negligent lover. Even now, as the afternoon glows the wind is a rumble beneath the translucent crystal sky and I quiver. It shakes loose from within me cascading thoughts, that fall from fingers worn, from lips parched. It has entangled me and I know long into sleep I will be tossing upon its anxious currents.
I welcome it though, for I am rattled and feel the need to write. I had meant to finish the lyrics to a song I was asked to write for an short independent film being made in the US. Patriotism was the theme, but the film is less about patriotism than about misplace patriotism. It was muddled in my head for quite awhile and I could not seem to find a start. Should it be about love of nation or love of land? What is it that cannot be taken from us, even when oppressed, what is worth fighting for? These are all questions that I asked myself as I struggled to find an opening line that didn't sound blind and full of ego. And then, it appeared. Fully formed words as if placed in my mind. It was the wind rattling and shaking and this is what fell out.
Giant's Causeway
Wings of the featherless cry
Brought to the brink and asked to fly
Fly on the razor sharp oath
Words that taste something like blood
Blood
Iron and blood
Bound to the dicates on high
Torches held up to burn the sky
Sky falling cinders rain down
Ashen tears, the colour of pride
Pride
Fire and Pride
What giants were born
Have long since gone
And laid down their bones
On the causeway of freedom
I will not fade
I will not let go
Of this land that weeps in me
Raised to the wavering flag
Foreigners all on fields of glass
Glass is the heart as it lays
Open in streams, spears of the path
Path
Pathway called home
What giants were born
Have long since gone
And laid down their bones
On the causeway of freedom
I will not fade
I will not let go
Of this land that weeps in me
I will not let fear
On its splintered shield
Call the shadowed ease in me
Rouse to the battering wave
Hold to the truth of verdant days
Days ere the sun ever rise
Covenant stand, give life to hope
Hope
Honor and hope
What giants were born
Have long since gone
And laid down their bones
On the causeway of freedom
I will not fade
I will not let go
Of this land that weeps in me
