LETTER TO A FRIEND
Dear Rebecca,
We write according to our knowledge born from experience, I could not have written the brilliant lines of "Voyage of the Silver Lady", for I do not have the knowledge or the brine running through my veins which is required to produce such a work.
Although I live near the sea, and indeed crossed many oceans, from England to reach these shores, I am from the inland and thus have not been mesmerized by the healing sea breezes, although as has been my way, I did own a boat and went to sea, quite alone, fishing around Solitude Island and its lighthouse.
My boat was a 15ft Cruise Craft with a 75hp motor which I purchased for the sole purpose of experiencing the sea, to enable me to better understand such a way of life. I more enjoyed my trips up river (the Clarence) in my small aluminium Boat with an 8hp motor, and the tranquillity of my Kayak along the Orara River.
I spent a great deal of time alone after Vietnam, and with my 4 wheel Drive, and small boat, with trail bike hanging off the back I followed And explored many rivers photographing the wildlife etc. I seem to Be rambling on a bit here – so anyway while I may have a talent, To write in certain ways the uneven trail has not always been a Happy one, nor one particularly educational, in that what I write about, Reflects little knowledge of anything positive.
Oh, well the river will run its course, flood now and then, and form calm lakes, before reaching the wild sea. Without your wonderful friendship, and that of the others, I would hardly have written a word in the past two years, instead I have probably written more than a thousand poems. About what? I wonder.
Love, and a very happy Christmas to you and yours,
Col