Stephanie Davies
STEVIE'S SWIM in memory of NIGEL JENKINS
Fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund
Story
DONE! On 8th August, 2014, the sea was calm & a
lifeguard free so I grabbed the opportunity to swim to Snaple Point. It took
about 45 minutes, there & back. The outward swim was so beautiful -
pausing to lie on my back when tired & just rock with the
waves, seeing the curves of the green Langland cliffs from the peaceful
sea & the stick-people walking round to & from the Point. The lifeguard
was very patient; said he was getting a nice tan on his back. The return journey
was hard but I remembered who I was swimming for - Nigel Jenkins - poet, teacher,
friend & all-round beautiful human being.
LAMENT FOR NIGEL JENKINS by STEVE GRIFFITHS
An hour before I heard of his death
I saw a kingfisher in black and white
in a fold of January half-light.
It crossed the river away from me.
Wet noise closed in and I lost it:
something rare, keen-eyed
for stillness and every stirring,
welcome in surprised lives,
holding its flash of blue
bowstrung like a good word
for the right unleashing.