Geodes: A Poetic Exploration on Iona.

 

We have just returned from Iona, resplendent with spring flowers, having been on an excellent writing retreat led by our Scottish poet friend, Ken Steven. During the week I was delighted to have the postcard of geodes, shown here, still left on the table by the time I came to make my selection from a collection of images that Ken had gathered to inspire us to write. Someone had picked up the card ahead of me, then discarded it. I suspect there is a story there! But it gave me an opportunity to draw on it for a reflection on the exquisite beauty found in some inconspicuous looking stones - and a little of their history. I enjoyed every moment of the writing , and hope that you, precious reader, can too.

 

What primeval forces laid these layers down,

then curled them, 

and fashioned the stratified stone

into shapes,

made beautiful to behold,

by the human eye?

 

Through them, the brain can reason,

then build speculation on knowledge,

to begin to fathom the mysteries

of aeon’s of pre-history.
 
All this is wrapped
in plainstone:
so I, full of ignorance,
need an interpreter,
a palaeontologist
to steer me through the labyrinth 

of the varied calcifications.

More informed,

I still gaze in wonder

at this newly polished gem, 

and ask myself,

‘Did God have a hand

in this imperfect perfection?’

 

And I know, that I believe, he did.

 

TT © March 2025