Artist’s Context – Song: Order of March
I think this is exactly how it should be – it still reminds me of my terrible experience on that promotion course!!!
It was the first thing I had written on the Korg and I’ve played around with it a lot more since. Definitely my favourite!

Order of March

Artist’s Context – Song: Happy Clapper
This has a few things that I would probably tweek, but it was the first song I had written in a hell of a long time.
I think it took me an afternoon or two to do, so I am happy.

Happy Clapper

Artist’s Context – Song: Raining Snow
I think this still has a lot of work to do to it to make it really good – very much a demo idea.

Raining Snow

Artist’s Context – Journal: The Blue Book
This piece was written in the first few days of the program during a writing workshop with Jordan Williams – 2 Nov 15

If I was the best writer in the world, the story I’d tell would be about Canadian Elms bristling through North West winds,
and small mist log-towns cut off from the big smoke till the snow plough came through on Tuesday, and when the owls sleep, do they still keep an eye?

So why am I here? Why are we here? From one side to another The Pacific tells of journeys long forgotten.
The 9.59 from who knows where, some silver city some redneck football one team town arrives in dark cool night November.

But when people say This Will Destroy You, I smile. This is what I embrace.

I can hear the coughs and smoke from outside in the smoker’s pit but it’s too hot to close the window.
The cool whir of fans doesn’t help my lack of sleep so I listen to addictions and mumble tales of new met strangers.

I decide to put off reading the old friend’s journey across the world as he knew – till morrow maybe –
maybe a different tale – a new found inspiration but one without the usual herbs and spices.

Artist’s Context – Poem: Untitled
This piece was written whilst staying on base at HMAS Harman and trying to work out why I was there. 0100h 11 Nov 15

In pictures and in words
Of memories disturbed
The door is locked looking for the key.
Voices lost through choices not our own
Crying out in the dark
The safe and silent dark.
Walk the halls at 5
Every hour is witching hour
Time to take my pills and have a smoke.
This illness like a cough I can’t
Get off my chest.
Drinking all my flames to rest.

Artist’s Context – Poem: Untitled
This piece was also written at Harman, late one night.

Walking through halls,
creaking on the wrong
side of midnight.
The overflow of medication,
can’t help me
sleep tonight.
In The cross of ages past,
silent noise of angels cast
their shadow (as I sit)
She, who brings the voice inside
my head to bare.
Old metal taps of cold,
steel and paint for winter
nights of olde
ringing through hours,
the silence never ends
its single note.
The Hidden time,
alone, but so at home.
And now it’s one.

Poem: Untitled
Falling from darkness
Walk out of the sun
Lighter than a window
This case becomes the one.
I see this bottle’s empty
Silence comes along
Nowhere left to fall now
This can’t be left undone.
Filling up the memory pool
White takes over black
Drinkin it while I still can
I’ll never get it back.
Scissors cut your fingers
If they get too close
These glasses that I’m wearing
Aren’t always coloured rose.
Growing wings doesn’t always mean you fly
A scribe of thoughts and dreams
And if I take that leap of faith
Will you hear my screams?

Artist’s Context – Poem: Ode to Monet
This piece was written just after the program finished
whilst in my study looking at a print of Monet’s Garden at Sainte Adresse – 8 Dec 15

First impressions
As the light changes
I capture you
At the Garden In Saint Adresse.
Cane in hand, hat on head
As the wind blows the flag
Red white and blue.
Sails full of dreams and hopeless cares.
Sun beats down on life.

Artist’s Context – Limericks
Ari was the name of one of the participant’s assistance dog, a gorgeous young German Shepherd.
She certainly became one of the participants herself.

There once was a hound named Ari
She got too big to carry
She shat in the room
And chewed up the broom
While Ned was out having a durrie.

Ari gets all the attention
Poor Ned doesn’t get a mention
She licks her own arse
She’s a picture of class
Humping is her way of connection.

Poem: Ari
Try not to make a sound
Protect you from the dark
Wake you from my nightmares
Never far apart
Learn to switch it on and off
Still trying to work it out
Forever your companion
Barking mad enough to shout.

Without friends a battle is just a fight
Together we will get the light
Be your ears and be your sight
Wake you from my dreams tonight.

This is what we train for
But when its gone we’re lost
Is this the price of service?
No matter what the cost

That wide ocean road before us
No map to show the way
The journey can be lonely
But I’m with you all the way.

Without friends a battle is just a fight
Together we will get the light
Be your ears and be your sight
Wake you from my dreams tonight.

Darren LUNAN, 2018
‘Bridge’
Pencil on paper
21 x 30 cm

Darren LUNAN, 2016
‘Venice Canal’
Pencil on paper
21 x 30 cm

Darren LUNAN, 2017
‘Nasturtium’
Watercolour on paper
21 x 30 cm