AWOL
I never dreamed I would one day share the Red Room at KIRA with a portrait on the wall of Roger Writing in the Red Room at KIRA. It is a great honor to be here again and to be the first alumnus (June, 2017) invited back for a second stay (May-June, 2021). I will do my best to ensure that this stay is a successful one. I am honored to be the first returnee. I most certainly have no wish to be the last.
My desk is in its usual place by the window. To the right, on the wall above me, hangs my portrait. This is new, especially for me. The view from my working window has changed. The auditorium was just being constructed when I was here first (June, 2017). My companions from that first cohort of resident artists are here with me, in spirit. Ann, Carlos, Elise, and Ruby, the one who painted my likeness. My hope is that they too may sometime return.
The Tower on Minister’s Island is still visible above the trees. It has long kept me company and long may it continue to do so. Across the bay, behind the red tree on the left, Magic Rock and Holt’s Point can almost be seen. What beauty. What joy. Sitting here, at my desk, I review twelve days absent without leave, AWOL from Social Media and the Blog. Those Tiz-Woz days are hopefully over now. The bone scan was negative and showed no metastases. So that is a huge relief, though there may yet be some complications. There will be further testing, ad possibly some more medication. That lies in the future. This is the present. The sun is shining. I am here among friends. All’s right with the world.
rogermoorepoet 
Congratulations Roger! I am so glad you are back at Kingsbrae for a well-deserved encore! ANd your medical report is encouraging too. I do sense you are not yet able to relax about the whole thing so I hope that happens sooner than later. But for now, enjoy the green and blue window, your portrait and friends, both there and languishing here at home! 😉
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Me again.
Re: “On Being Welsh”
Some powerful words in this book of tears: of rage, against the priests; of sorrow, regarding the losses in your childhood; and, of sadness, in knowing that you will never go home again.
I had to stop reading “On Rebuilding Me” while I listened (again … again … again) to Ivor Emmanuel’s “My Lttle Welsh Home”.
A time of tears here.
I’m so sad for you, my friend.
But … Hey! You’re in St. Andrews. Salt air once more. And you’re writing at KIRA.
You’re continuing your story.
And you’re doing Wales proud.
Keep going, sir.
All the best,
Neil
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Thank you so much, Neil. On Being Welsh is a ‘purging’, a ‘getting it all out of the system’. I am writing a lot better now as a result of that purge. Stars at Elbow and Foot arrived one hour after I left for KIRA. I am proud of that one and it is the start of the ‘new me’ with The Nature of Art o follow (KIRA2021) and also Devil’s Kitchen. Should you drop out my way (Mon or Tues) I will gift you with a book and a cheque and a cup of tea. Diolch yn fawr.
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Have a productive time, Sir Raj.
I’m 2/3rds through On Being Welsh. Great stuff.
And just remember – that’s my town your in.
Neil
PS – Is that a body I see floating on the underwater road?
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I will never forget that this is your town, Neil, and I ask everyone I meet whether they know and remember you. Thanks for the good wishes. Things going well and I have finished one new poem already, started another, and done a post supper poetry reading with some beautiful people. Glad you like On Being Welsh. It is very special. Stars at Elbow and Foot arrived today, just after I left!
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So, you are there now, (not beginning next Tuesday). Ah, well, we’ll correspond. Enjoy! Chuck
On Thu., May 27, 2021, 2:47 p.m. rogermoorepoet, wrote:
> rogermoorepoet posted: ” AWOL I never dreamed I would one day share the > Red Room at KIRA with a portrait on the wall of Roger Writing in the Red > Room at KIRA. It is a great honor to be here again and to be the first > alumnus (June, 2017) invited back for a second stay (May” >
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I’ll send you a message on Messenger, Chuck. Best wishes.
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