Melissa Davies
Poet & Freelance Creative
Category: HEAF
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Journal #5 | How much of our connection is storytelling?
The oldest stories were told to connect people: to each other, to a place, to a way of life or social structure. Poets of former times weren’t simply artists or peddlers for those with leisure time. Poets were kept close to political and military leaders, as chroniclers. Poets followed their king into battle. Often theirs…
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Journal #4 | Reflections on first recordings
Immediately I understand how much this project will be about the individuals who participate as it is about the valley. My focus is forced upwards to the faces as we speak; yes we are talking about Eskdale, about land and nature BUT these words can’t be taken in isolation from the voices who speak them. …
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Journal #3 | Moss teaches me that connection is fluid
I experience fear when the valley vanishes entirely into mist. At the point when I no longer see undulating curtains of rain, like aurora; instead I’m gazing over the auburn edge of bracken into white. I felt alone before. Beautifully alone to sing, to greet particularly fine herdwicks as I pass. Suddenly, I’m aware of…
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Journal #2 | Finding a balance of voices
What outcome will spontaneous conversations have? Will they differ from pre-arranged encounters where participants have had time to gather thoughts in advance. Or who come with expectations of engagement with an ‘art’ project. I’m aware that my arranged recording sessions are becoming narrow for purely practical reasons. I’m accessing volunteers, during the week; which means…
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Journal #1 | The distinction between ‘land’ & ‘landscape’
Should they be used interchangeably? These terms I’m grappling with to express what connection could be with, is with. I don’t think so but right now this is how I perceive them: Land is alive, it has expression and character; it responds and can be injured; it is impossible to separate from its wider ecosystem;…
Melissa Davies 