A New Day for Everyone - ..Short Days Ago

An inscription from a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. Its letter in all capitals. Three lines - two ending with four dots for cadence. — Headstone inscription of Major Charles Davies Vaughan DSO, Border Regiment.
Killed 25 April 1915. Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli
P. Ferguson image, May 2012.

Three People Never Having Met

Beneath the sky, the moon – the sun – this ground, this coast, valley, or ridge. Along the long, long trail that is our path through Gully Ravine – or our crest at Lone Pine. I return this day to wanderings across places of conflict and to now distant interests. A new voice has encouraged my new words…gifted from Nottinghamshire…connections we find when curiosity is harvested. Our voices, our words, our interests share a common bond…cherish this breath…a new day for everyone.

Climbers near W Beach, Gallipoli ascend the steep twisting path to visit a water feature (not in view. The photograph taken from the base of the scramble. — The difference between a scramble and a cliff? You can climb a scramble.
Near W. Beach, Gallipoli.
P. Ferguson image, May 2012.

First, I watch…then I search…

The camera is placed…the soundtrack begins…the low cries of cattle are heard…our host appears…their voice…grateful to others…it’s in a beautiful location – it’s a bit misty at the minute. I have now found the track to lead this new day…having waited seemingly for days to let go of rainbows…follow, follow the sun…

Now I have searched…now I will listen…

The voice is Australian and with the soundtrack I return to class – Dr. Alkire’s ethnography of Australia…Dr. Welch’s class of Australian filmmakers…this is the Dreamtime…one day perhaps I will stand before Uluru and walk no further, but enjoy this island mountain glow red at dawn – glow red at sunset. From generation to generation…elder to youth…a new day for everyone.

The famed Gully Ravine., Gallipoli Visitors rest at the natural rock wall. The trail is rugged and the short wall must be scaled. On the other side (out of view), a pond - best avoided after climbing over the wall. — Near the natural rock wall. Gully Ravine, Gallipoli.
P. Ferguson image, May 2012.

Of all things Australia, and related to my present interests, I witness the race and runners of Peter Weir’s Gallipoli (1981). I learn, with this evening, that Weir’s Gallipoli followed graduation,…and I see again the beaches and ridges, the 2012 hikes we made across steep terrain…difficult narrow paths that I would return to in a single heartbeat…what does your heart say?. I see Crowe’s Water Diviner (2014)…you have to feel it. Çanakkale, Geilbolu…as fast as a leopard. As water is to Tiddalik and Joshua Connor, rainbows are to Kermit and Archy Hamilton…dream with care…

Xavier Rudd…the Australian voice…acoustic in hand…kapo at the fifth…the metronome foot – our heartbeat…harmonica and song. As I listen, I seek the chords, my right hand finds the notes. Like my previous soloist, I do not opt for the original recording but studio live. When this day is done…a new day for everyone…brand new moon brand new sun.

Three people never having met.

Follow the Sun
Xavier Rudd
2012

Follow, follow the sun

And which way the wind blows
When this day is done

Breathe, breathe in the air
Set your intentions
Dream with care
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun

So follow, follow the sun,
The direction of the bird,
The direction of love

Breathe, breathe in the air,
Cherish this moment,
Cherish this breath
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun

When you feel life coming down on you,
Like a heavy weight
When you feel this crazy society,
Adding to the strain
Take a stroll to the nearest waters
And remember your place
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before you came

So which way is the wind blowin’,
And what does your heart say?

So follow, follow the sun,
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done

Previously published Pipes of War website, 23 May 2020