The stones of Dalmatia

[ourDC888]

Again, beautiful! As if walking in a dream while hearing a soothing voice. Thank you for sharing!

[GilesConradWatson]

I like the idea of a "harvest of stones", and that lovely ironic question, "What do stones care for our intention?" The view from inside the cairn is fascinating: reminds me of the ceiling of New Grange.

[andrewnorris1]

@GilesConradWatson Thanks Giles, that 'caine' is quite extraordinary, sheep shelters, rain shelters I'm not sure. I was back in Dalmatia over the summer and filmed them again, I think there are 3 in the area. The evening light, also, is extraordinary. I hope one day to use this footage in something.

[ronpolla]

stones....talking....like only stones can talk.

[andrewnorris1]

@ronpolla yes, and they do have the most amazing stories to tell. Sorry to be late in thanking you for your visit and comment, I only just found this one

[RimbaudsMoon]

Awesome! You are the new Byron! Incredible poem & poet! Incdedible video! Thank you!

[andrewnorris1]

@RimbaudsMoon WOW, just.... WOW! and thank you. I'm humbled.

[SecretDalmatia]

Beautiful!

[XaveJamesGrey]

The association of stones connecting us with our ancestry is a wonderful image to think upon. Your work is not only specific to its place, but, brings new understanding of my own environment.

[arcanus121]

This is excellent work Andrew. I love the calm ambience and detailed organic imagery. I am also appreciative of your kind and supportive comments on my own work. Thank you.

[mondanart]

Only genius and magicians turn stones into poetry. You have chosen a beautiful music that particularly touch me, an ancient song from Catalonia, my poor and unknown country. Thanks.

[andrewnorris1]

@mondanart I am so please that you likes the music. The album I got it from has haunted me for the past 8 years, and I was really pleased that you liked the poem. Good of you to rest a while.

[vinegarwine]

Good job! For me the music to sweat...Lbit idyllic after the war, prospectus taste...5*

[andrewnorris1]

@vinegarwine I think it would be a pity if every time you thought about Dalmatia those thoughts were accompanied with images of the war. This country has so much more to offer than conflict. The conflict actually reached this area, witness the vast areas still covered with mines, yet these structures remained.. Thanks for your visit, however, and I appreciate your comment.

[AllErikaEclectica]

Andrew, another beautiful poem. I enjoyed seeing it on your blog -- thanks for pointing me towards it when we were last in touch -- but this video and your hushed and patient delivery really helps me connect with its evocative power. Some poetry does great justice to place. Croatia--a land with so much limestone karst--seems to carry resonance in its dry stone. Even in urban places, such as Split, there is something that speaks out from rustic and rusticated stone. Need longer comment box: Good!

[andrewnorris1]

@AllErikaEclectica Hey Erika, it was good of you to stop a while at this location to view this again. I though that this might appeal to you since you have visited this beautiful country and are familiar with the geology here. Yes, the Dinaric mountains are made of karst. It is a wonderful stone that takes on so many shapes. I particularly like the ridges of stone that protrude at an angle out of the scrub that one can see in this part of Dalmatia. Hope you felt rested, for a while at least.

[nordicsky]

Hi Poet,

I'm glad I stumbled across your poetry. It is wonderfully crisp, clear, and discriptive. You manage to capture the feel and history of the place, as well as the imagery.

I will enjoy reading your work.

Regards, Peter

[andrewnorris1]

@nordicsky Hello Peter, so glad you found me, I have been waiting for you. I hope, too, that you enjoyed your all too brief visit to this rocky landscape. Best, Andrew

[Wolfiewolfgang2]

This is such a perfect mix of pictures and words (and music)....very moving.

[andrewnorris1]

@Wolfiewolfgang2 That is so kind of you to say. This is certainly a landscape that touches all the senses. I hope you were refreshed by your visit.

[DavidRandallCurtis]

I think Idlinfarm said it all when she said.

"beautiful" --5*/fave

[andrewnorris1]

So kind of you to stop by, hope Mone liked it too.

[brychar66]

Fascinating poem and entrancing video. I love your awareness of geological time and the processes of nature. It aids perspective in the present and gives a magical tingle of recognition to your words.

[PoetLina]

... and stones take the measure of our toil and of our parting, whether inscribed or no. Thank you for the "rest". H.

[andrewnorris1]

@PoetLina ...they also record and welcome our return. I once made a small stack of stones along an old goat track on the island Hvar, 6 years later I walked the track again, since abandoned in favour of a new road, and there was my stack still intact. I added two more stones and maybe in a few years I'll go back and add a couple more. Hope you were refreshed by your brief sojourn in Dalmatia.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Your words and images create a sanctuary themselves as you fit them together in this work. The stones seem cellular-like to me in their interlocking particulary from your footage from inside the shelter.  I think I mentioned this when I watched on your blog. Truely transcendent.

[andrewnorris1]

@XaveJamesGrey You are right, James, like bees/wasps nests it is a tried and trusted form and the most ideal method of construction for its purpose. Next time I am in Dalmatia I should like to sit in it at night and watch the passing stars through the aperture, that would really focus ones thoughts.

[Idlinfarm]

Beautiful.

[andrewnorris1]

@Idlinfarm Indeed, the structure is exquisitely beautiful. Thank you for taking a brief rest with me, I hope you feel refreshed.

[zaaaaazzzzz]

Well, I rested a while... and was so greatly rewarded. Many thanks for this labour of love.

[andrewnorris1]

@zaaaaazzzzz Glad your short stay in Dalmatia was richly rewarded. It was for people such as yourself that this film was made. Thanks for the visit.

[tinySpectacle]

I really love how you show the dividing and coming together that these structures seem to encompass.

[andrewnorris1]

@tinySpectacle Much like people come together for a while and then go off on their own way, and perhaps meet up again later. But even in parting the memory of the coming together remains, don't you think? Thank you for spending a few minutes in Dalmatia

[Farflonger]

awesome!!!

[keanghiero]

These words, rocks, raw material, the building blocks that enable us to build this intimate shelter, a sanctuary for our Poetry.

5*

all the best

Kean

[andrewnorris1]

@keanghiero Hiya Kean, thanks for your kind comment. I appreciate your visit.