Another Reflection of Me
A Collection of Poems from the Haud Close Project
Haud Close was a multi-artform project inspired by Scottish Ballet’s film Haud Close Tae Me, directed by filmmaker Eve McConnachie in 2017, with choreography by Christopher Hampson and poetry by Scots Makar Jackie Kay. Haud Close brought together dancers from across the SB Health network, to work remotely with choreographer Jack Webb, visual artist Brian Hartley, and storyteller and dramaturg Philippa Clark. Exploring connection at a time of separation, Haud Close participants shared life stories and memories with storyteller Philippa Clark in response to creative invitations and tasks. Each story has been crafted by Philippa into an individual poem that reflects the teller of each tale and draws upon some of Scots Makar Jackie Kay’s poem Pas De Deux. With thanks to Jackie Kay.
Distinguishing You Your nose The size of her hands, those long legs And how that side profile runs in the family I’ll pace time with you, keep faith with you In which direction do you stir a pot? Could you fold your arms in an unfamiliar way and get used to it? You go; I’ll follow I see my son I see my mother I’m not sure exactly what it is that we share I’ll be your bridge, be your gateway I see you have different colours in your eyes features the ones we share till you are me and I am you. Everybody knows me from behind, the way I move Yes, I see you as stunning, I see your grace, your foot, your toe you’re a magnificent glory with this perception of ourselves who are you? who’s me? who’s me? Is there another reflection that you see of me?
Feel Free If I were to give you an answer, which I’m going to, I’d say my dancing is undisciplined and what would you say, would you have a word with me? Would you still follow me, shadow me? My body and my mind, they are free so keep time with me When I move it is my emotions that are leading the way, so keep up with me Don’t over think, just keep surviving You’re a magnificent glory No concerns or responsibilities, the music will take you Float away You go and I’ll follow
Stand Alone I realised yesterday, I’m on my own here you see and I haven’t touched another person for months We did this movement, all together with our arms around ourselves like a hug and I just keep doing that
The Art of Curiosity is Not Hard to Master When life goes quiet, you’re one step, two steps away from me now we’re not dashing about so we have the time to notice, where we would normally not notice You saw the bare trees covered in frost where there was once an eruption of colour. You said, you are curious about everything, you are known as the ‘why’ woman so take my hands and lead me astray… to the view from you’re your 3rd floor window, distracted by the birds in the tress that surround you Until night becomes day, in your tree house in amongst the leaves. Things have sapped and ebbed away as you see a bird that distracts you, perhaps a treecreeper, now that is quite unusual! You notice beauty in the movement of your hands, skin deep as you watch each moment. Keep up with me. You tell me you see more deeply with age. Or has your curiosity moved from inquisitive to nosey? Don’t worry now, don’t go away Take my hands and lead me astray.
What Do I See When I Look at Me? A wee girl who loved the ballet, 3 maybe 4 years old reluctant, to move away from it How to make it work alongside nursing shifts? When I was 20 I was still keeping it up, in between relapses, I kept it up for a while, till it became impossible Until she said, Mum, you have to do this, you must join! I made contact I was there again So keen, still keen
Lorna’s Favourite Outfit Lorna
Dancers from Elevate™ shared stories and memories of their favourite outfit. Here storyteller Philippa Clark reflects Lorna’s words. You see I don’t dress up very much. I’d say I am a casual person But I’d slimed into this one, it was pink, quite fitted and flowery I tend not to wear heels, because my balance isn’t good but I wore a small one for this occasion, I just went from the bedroom to the restaurant. Are you dancing, you say; you say Are you tomorrow? Are you asking - what will you borrow? But this was a celebration, and now that I’m thinking about it, I’m feeling emotional My brother My sister the kids My husband my mum and dad, the whole of my family One of the last times we were all together, all of us, together My 50th and I felt quite glamourous... I don’t know if you know this place? It’s called Auchrannie It’s something I don’t normally do, getting dressed up, I don’t go out socialising much, I get tired at nights But it was so nice, Being there, with the family
We were all dressed up, having a nice celebration The day just yesterday. The nights dancing into the day. The moon’s dancing into the sea. Who are ye? Who’s me? Who’s me?
Erskine Home, Bishopton Residents of Erskine Home, Bishopton launched Haud Close in December 2020 dancing remotely with choreographer Jack Webb, and sharing life stories with storyteller Philippa Clark. Here we share Philippa’s poetic arrangements of their words.
Pat Wore a Beautiful Outfit Pat
You’re a magnificent glory. On my daughter’s wedding day A huge hat, it was turquoise, A jacket and a lovely shirt A few inches on to my height to look closer up to my husband, so tall I’ll keep time wey you, Bide close tae you
Turquoise and Cream Noreen
The turquoise bridesmaid dress had been worn before, had a previous outing I wore mine for my sister’s wedding, with a velvet hat, A winter wedding Crushed velvet Are you asking - what will you borrow? The day just yesterday. My wedding dress was cream, with straps and an evening jacket to go over the top Oh I remember it well, and small neat shoes... In your foot, your toe: You’re a magnificent glory.
This Is Just To Tell You Joan
Oh… Right then, This is just to tell you about one of my favourite outfits Yer body’s memory, fu o’ story, It’s not right up to the minute or anything I have had it for sometime But it’s never lost its class you see It’s very well designed Good material, classy... just like the one who wears it. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! When you put it on You feel like a million dollars and I’m hoping that someone will come along and say, “that’s really nice, how much do you want for it?” “2 million dollars” I’d tell them Weddings, evening diners and any chance I could think of really I did tend to stand out from the crowd you see. Yer body’s memory, fu o’ story, Step by step we go
Many Winters Jean
My fur coat lasted me for years All through many winters Cause it was expensive! It was a Muskrat coat. It’s odd now, when you think about it! So soft, so warm It was a kind of brownish colour, at the back and down the shoulders, then a lighter brown towards the middle I bought it in Glasgow, in Partick Just over the bridge, down a little and along Where the bridge goes over the canal, and at the far end was the shop And he made it to fit me you know! Yes, Up the banks and over the brae Until the moon draps tae the sea.
Smooth Sarah
Well navy is the new black you know! Very plain navy I got it in a store in Glasgow and it was very expensive. And I’d smooth it down as I wore it Soft Warm Comfortable, I remember, Oh I do, I can see it in my mind, In your foot, your toe: You’re a magnificent glory
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