Aeolian Harp

The Harp to Aeolus
 by Valerie Gillies

North wind to the hills
sounding the storm
East wind to the waves
cold blows along
South wind to the elm-seed
wings flying on
West wind to our loved ones
bringing them home

The poem appears on a plaque on the base, other plaques tell us that the harp was designed and made by Mark Norris, created from a Wych Elm felled in the gardens due to Dutch Elm Disease in 2003, and the Pavilion gifted by Stuart and Alison Paul and Gordon and Ena Baxter.

Mr Flum is in the background on the seat where we waited nearly half an hour for the sun to move round and illuminate the harp, which when we arrived was in deep shadow. I find that, though the pavilion is an elegant design, it is difficult to photograph the harp itself against the structure behind. Perhaps, when we hear the wind blow through, this will not matter.