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| Mac Dunlop |
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Mac Dunlop was born in Norwich in the 1960s. His father’s work took Mac and his family to lots of different countries around the world before they settled in Ontario, Canada. In his late twenties he returned to the UK, fell in love with a beautiful woman and has been here ever since. Mac is a poet and an artist. For many years he lived in Bristol and was an active member of the poetry community, he is now based in Falmouth.
Acadian Storm
11-7-09 (inspired by The Magnolia Sisters, performing at St Georges, Bristol)
The hurricane wind that flew them here touched briefly down,
its bellow’s breeze squeezing neat three beat bars, its triangles ding-a-linging
supper times from Nova Scotia to Dixie marshland, its breath outliving
Napoleon’s fiddling of Lousiana for European wars on his Native land.
Rodeo horsehair made that bow, solid top tuned to Acadian grain,
strings strummin’ up a square dance trip hop, squeeze box carved
from mainsal masts and Spanish rosin guiding her viol’ over Cajun scales
two stepping in ¾ time, settling down in search of home.
Allez mes filles! Those swaying skirts, the shoes - comfy white,
emerald gem cowgirl boots, toe tapping two stepping wave upon wave
of Mona Lisa smiles and three beat bar keys, A to D echoing the bow wake
of those tall ships that once combed isles and coast in search of home.
Acadia, echoing over time like an airwave rainbow, expanding Bajou
bellows steaming up Atlantic skies with migrating clouds, drifting rhythms
lifting heat wave swamplands up over distant mountains, a Force 10 gale
of songs whipping up washboard waves onto the shores of this sanctuary,
je me souviens,
bon voyage mes amis.
optional background info:
The Acadians were mainly French settlers in 17th century Maritime Canada.
Areas that still bear links to Acadian culture, can be found in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Many were exiled during the 18th century and founded settlements in Louisiana, becoming today's Cajuns.
© mac dunlop 2009 |
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