Friday 26 March 2010

Poem: Guinea Fowl

This is one I'm reworking...

He traipses along with dog in tow
splattering of black and beige dancing

about feet. On his back rests a guitar
wrapped in bizarre colourful sarape.

Within minutes the pair arrive their daytime
destination: Sainsburys. He unpacks his tool –

begins to strum a stream of dated tunes,
bringing to life 1980s ghouls. Eight o’clock:

humanity ascends, fills the streets like humming
midges; man in tweed coat, paunched woman

with crucifix dangling from her throat, veiled woman
pushing silent pram. In the foreground: youth bristle

a gregarious animation of rooks. And he remains
unnoticed, a guinea fowl foraging beneath soggy leaves.


Catherine Mark

Thursday 25 March 2010

Walking the Wirral...

On Sunday 23rd May 2010, I will be participating in the Wirral Coastal Walk to raise money for two charities - Possible Dreams International (PDI) and an Action Aid project. The goal is to raise £ 1000 (or more) to be split equally between the two organisations!


Possible Dreams International, Inc. (www.possibledreamsinternational.org) is a non profit organisation with a lion’s heart. Their vision statement is “to empower communities in areas of deep and immediate need throughout the world. Through the organisation and financing of community based projects and the raising of awareness regarding issues such as endemic disease, poverty and malnutrition we aim to bring tangible hope into the lives of those for whom the flame of hope seems to flicker on the brink of extinction.”


As a grassroots organisation they “work intimately with community leaders to empower and engage individuals as they walk the road to self- sufficiency. This is achieved through distinct community and family based projects.” To read about some of their recent projects go to: www.possibledreamsinternational.org/the-movement/ and www.possibledreamsinternational.org/swaziland/!


With a commitment to ending poverty Action Aid UK aims “to improve people’s lives every day. But we know that’s not enough. So we work relentlessly to change whatever is keeping them trapped in poverty.This means we have a better chance of ending poverty for good.” For example ActionAid in Burkina Faso: “Focuses on helping families to improve their farming techniques, improving access to health and education, and helping women to generate new sources of income. We have helped establish gardens in schools. One initiative has set up a drying unit to process local fruits and vegetables for sale at market. We support community-run health and HIV & AIDS awareness campaigns, and are working to improve local health services. We also support adult education projects to help adults learn literacy and communication skills and how to access local services.” To find about more about the work and projects of Action Aid go to: www.actionaid.org.uk!


The hope is that the monies raised from this walk will go towards supporting a PDI HIV project in Swaziland and an Action Aid HIV project.


For more information on how to support my efforts please contact me via email. Or visit:-

My Action Aid: Wirral Coastal Walk!


I hope you stay connected with my training and fundraising endeavours towards this event.


Catherine x