Essaouira, Essaouira

I don't want this to end

Photo by my husband James Finucane (I always forget to take photos, I am usually too busy writing poems)

Dear loved ones,

I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to Essaouira! We went for our honeymoon and had a marvellous time getting to know this very special city by the sea.

Essaouira is an old port on the coast of Morrocco, its walls are whitewashed and many of the doors in the city are painted a dazzling blue. It’s where Game of Thrones was filmed and the fort and ramparts around the old medina make the place feel exceptionally dramatic and moody next to the Atlantic ocean. The city is a haven for musicians, artists and artisans and one of the highlights of visiting was getting to chat with some of the artists there.

Photo by James Fincane

And there are cats. Thousands of cats. 5 cats for every shop-front selling treasures: leather goods, jewellery, scrumptious pastillas, cosmetics. There are cats lazing away on parked motorbikes; cats to keep you company in restaurants; and kittens on every corner.

Of course I wrote and wrote and wrote and among the best souvenirs I have of our trip are my new poems, some of which I will be sending you.

Here is a song I wrote inspired by Essaouira. I wanted it to sound like the wind for which Essaouira is also famous.

Thank you to everyone we met who made us feel so welcome. I hope this little song can be taken as a small token of my gratitude for such a lovely stay.

This is ‘Essaouira.’

Essaouira

Essaouira

Of all the winds that I have known

I’ve never been blown nearer to you

On our honeymoon

Essaouira

Essaouira

Protected by these city walls

And by the mighty skies that move the dunes, sand dunes

Beneath the crescent moon

Everything is blue

The happiest of hues

Sail me down the rue

I don’t want this to end