Very privileged to be able to share a poem with you on The Net Mender by Angela Topping.

Angela was inspired to write the piece after seeing my small carved assemblage 'Pocket Noost', pictured above. I love when a piece of work that I have created inspires another artist, poet or musician to produce a new work.

It is always interesting to see how others interpret your work and use what they have experienced to continue the thread. Angela's version of the noost idea, with the lovely image of the sound of the gulls and the smell of the sea being there when you open the tobacco tin is wonderful.

Here is the poem as it appears in Angela's recent collection, "The Five Petals of Elderflower'.

Noost

‘Pocket Noost’ by Douglas Robertson, a miniature landscape in a tin

I have moored a small boat

in a sheltered Shetland bay.

Your name is painted starboard.

The wood is bleached by salt;

oars stowed under the bench,

ready for you anytime.

Push it into the water, step aboard.

Row where your will takes you,

into the green, towards

distant mountains you long to climb.

The cool blubber of waves

laps and sucks in rhythm

as steady as your heartbeat.

Sea birds thicken the air as you beach.

You are drunk on sea smells,

damp scent of mermaid’s purse.

        This is the life you were born for.

        Not that narrow place, where you are

        pinned like a bug in a specimen drawer.  

Carry my gift in your pocket.

When you open this rusty tin:

the gulls’ shriek is deafening,

water moves and tumbles,

your feet are bare on ribbed sand,

your hands calloused; the sun

is on your back, soothing, soothing.

When you close the lid again

that world winks out, is gone

but stays within; sea, mountains, sky,

that place of quiet I bring you.

If you would like to find out more about Angela's work, click on the link here.

Copies of Angela's latest poetry collection is available from the poet, £8.99 plus £1 p&p.

Email her at anji.topping@gmail.com.