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Creative Writing Session
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Last week, Rody Gorman led a creative writing session at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
Out of the group, five of us were Gaelic speakers. Danny and Therese from Australia, who were visiting Skye for a maths conference, joined us. They wished to hear Gaelic, and it was decided that the session would be (mostly) in Gaelic and that Iseabail would translate for them.
We talked in Gaelic, some of us talked in English, we talked about Gaelic and about English. We discussed writing, barriers to writing, reading, creativity, identity, place and language.
Rody gave us some simple and accessible writing exercises to do. We were invited to share what we’d written with the group. More discussion ensued. Before we knew it, it was five o-clock and the library was closing – surely that is a sign of an engaging workshop!
Sùsaidh Arnold wrote a poem based on her experience and has kindly shared it with us:
Gàidhlig
Thàinig sinn còmhla
Sùsaidh is Siùsaidh
Iseabail is Rhona
Seonaid is Roddy
Danny is Theresa.
Fear à Èirinn
dithis à Sasainn
dithis à Astràilia
is triùir à Alba.
Thàing iad uile
leis an aon smaoin:
a dh’èisteachd
a chluinntinn
a bhruidhinn
is a chruthachadh
anns a’ Ghàidlig.
Gaelic
We came together
Sùsaidh and Siùsaidh
Iseabail and Rhona
Seonaid and Roddy
Danny and Theresa.
One of us from Ireland
two from England
two from Australia
and three from Scotland.
They all came
with the same idea:
to listen
to hear
to speak
and to create
in Gaelic.
Janet MacLeod wrote her first poem after the session, inspired by a snapshot she took during a day spent taking pictures in Edinburgh.
Boireannach sa bhàile mhòr
Nad sheasamh aig solais trafaig
Dreach dòigheil, ‘designer’ ort
Deasaichte airson dreuchd
Sgeadaichte cho sgiobalta.
Mise air cùl a’ chamara
Nam thrusgan luchd-turais
Iomhaigh cho eadar-dhealaichte
Le deò duthchail nam anail.
Adhbhar fo chomhair dhut
Agus amas nad shùilean,
Gu bheil an lionnsa gun fhiosta
Gad thogail sa mhòmaid.
Candid photograph
You stand at the traffic crossing
Exuding efficiency and
Polished to perfection with
Your manicured designer look.
I stand behind my camera
Camoflagued as tourist but
Portraying another image with
Rural stamped on my persona.
Absorbed with your purpose,
The intention in your eye
Fails to notice my lens as
It captures you in this moment.
Thanks to Rody, to Cairistiona and Greg at SMO Library and to all who attended and shared – it was a lovely afternoon.
The next creative writing workshop will be on Wednesday 12th July 2-4pm at Portree Community Library. Maoilios Campbell will lead a session on poetry writing. To book a place, call 01478 613 649 or email Iseabail@aros.co.uk
