Thursday, 20 February 2020

Iceland Poems

Last September I was lucky enough to tick one item off my bucket list by visiting Iceland. The country lived up to all expectations. With some of the awe inspiring sights we saw it would have been impossible for me not to write one or two poems. I would like to share them with you.

The first poem was inspired by the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall.


Dettifoss Waterfall, Iceland


Match stick like people
Overpowered humbled,
Gazing into timeless depths
Of endless gushing spray.
The sights and sounds
Demand you stand
And stare in awe
At crystal drops,
Ice coated patterns
Cascading displays
Painted by nature’s hand.
A gigantic symphony,
Fills your head
Yet soothes your heart.
Clouds above, clouds below
It’s hard to differentiate.
Rushing and crashing
Against rugged rocks
Here to tell the tale
Long after we have gone.


The waterfall was so powerful that a spectacular rainbow formed on the spray coming off it. It was an amazing sight.



Translucent pastel arch
From the heavens above
Rainbow orange, rainbow blue
Softly whisper words of love.

Illuminating sunshine
Dissolve into the spray
Make a wish, blow a kiss
Before you fade away.


A trip to Iceland would not be complete without seeing a glacier. We decided to go one step further and walk across one! It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.


Folds of ice packed tight
Timeless ice blue mounds
Connect without wire
No quick fix to be found.

Glistening in the light
A million precious stones
Stretching to the clouds,
Undulating barren roads.

To stand upon a glacier
With arms outstretched wide
Defies space, time and logic,
Adds new meaning to life.

As we were driving around the Skútustaðahreppur region of Iceland we noticed what appeared to be bursts of steam coming from an area we passed. We immediately went to investigate further and were privileged to witness up close what I later found out are fumaroles. For information, a fumarole is a vent in the earth's surface from which steam and volcanic gases are emitted.

I don't think I have ever seen anything as incredible. It was like something out of a science fiction movie and definitely good material to write a poem about.



Volcanic desert,
Steaming rocky mass,
Bottomless cauldron,
No future, no past.

Sulphuric spray 
Staining misshapen rocks,
Scorched white and yellow,
Science fiction backdrop.

Active yet lifeless,
Shades of barren brown,
Hypnotic, spellbinding,
Ash covered ground.

Unfeeling aliens
Dropped in from outer space,
The blue sky above
Looks strangely out of place.

As our plane took off and I waved goodbye to Iceland I felt compelled to write one final poem to end the trip. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and one that will stay with me for ever. 


When I want a little time
To clear my troubled mind,
I close my eyes and float away
Until I reach the clouds.

In my elevated state
The world seems far behind,
There is no better therapy
Than floating on a cloud.



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