On a clear evening at Rocklands

Background

When at the Rocklands camp-site I went outside and was awed by the surroundings. The sensation was summarised excellently by C.S. Lewis when he was talking about The Lord of the rings.

Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron.
-C.S. Lewis

I wanted to capture and share what I had seen. This is my attempt.

Prose

I came to the edge of the land with turmoil in my heart and looked out over the bay. There lay the sea vast and cold. Calm but not still as unnumbered swells moved towards the shore. Occasionally the silence is lifted by the quiet roar of a wave greeting the shore.

The shore grows up from the sea, climbing to my feet and then on behind me into vast mountains. Solid silhouettes before the clean sky. They stand firm encircling the bay with its thousand glints of moonlight covering the wide sea.

Their heads enveloped in smooth white clouds, the remnant of a host which have flowed all day. Flowed over the mountains carrying moisture far away.

The mountains stretch out along the far shore until they blend into the sky and sea. Out of the darkness sweeps a light, and fades. Its bright beam a comfort to troubled ships.

The sky stretches out deep and clear, sprinkled with stars sparkling in the quiet darkness. Trustworthy and sure they provide direction for the sailor.

Riding high in the heavens the moon shines down full and bright, illuminating the clouds that paint the sky with the flowing strokes of an artist’s brush. Thin and white they flow around the great heights of rock.

The radiance of the moon lights the world and casts crisp shadows that define my position. Coming up from the sea a chill wind beckons me to breath deep of its clean air, then to hurry back inside to warmth and friends.

Thus the world stands and speaks to me: “Be at peace. You are here and you are alive!”