Visions Of Nick Drake

VISIONS OF NICK DRAKE is Australian poet Cameron Borg’s sixth book of poems to date.

Released in March 2007 in a strictly limited edition run of 1,000 copies, VISIONS.. traces Nick Drake’s creative and musical progress through a set of visionary poems.

Nick’s creative genius is illuminated by poetic descriptions of his life and his work, in particular his three hauntingly beautiful albums – Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter, and Pink Moon.

Amazing cover art by Dutch artist Marcel De Jong and beautifully presented as a 30 page softbound edition, VISIONS OF NICK DRAKE is a must for Drake fans, and also lovers of visionary poets such as Blake, Ginsberg and Kerouac.

VISIONS OF NICK DRAKE ships worldwide: payment is easy through Paypal. Australian customers have the option of sending Australian Money Orders. Copies are also available at selected retail outlets in Austraila.

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WITHIN AUSTRALIA $14.95 post paid.

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Author’s Notes

A quick word about Visions of Nick Drake Cameron Borg, March 2007

Writing a set of poems about the creative journey of Nick Drake is an unlikely theme for set of poems. This latest book “Visions of Nick Drake” was total inspiration, I really feel that the universe wanted this book to appear and I was just the human that was picked to bring it into our physical world.

I began writing these poems in early 2005, and had it pretty much completed by mid 2005. I never stressed over a timeline for this project. I can remember not being able to write fast enough to pick up everything that was coming down the psychic / celestial connection!

Most of “Visions” was written and inspired whilst I was house-sitting a rural property here in Central Queensland, Australia. Late nights, some stormy, most quiet and moonlit, or quiet and black, with only cats for company, Nick’s CDs and an ever steaming kettle. Some of it was written in inner-city urban North Rockhampton, which kinda reflected the rural / urban transition Nick explored from “Five Leaves Left” to “Bryter Layter“.

The poems aren’t meant to be biographical, but strangely enough I’ve since discovered a lot of these visions are historically accurate. Like I said it was gifted by the universe, which even took care of the publication by the local Regional Arts Development Fund assisting its publication with a generous earnback grant, for which I am humbly grateful.

I really wanted to use some of Keith Morris’ wonderful Nick Drake photos, however Keith disappeared whilst diving in the English Channel a week before I tried to email him. After discussion and supportive suggestions from Cally of Nick Drake’s estate BRYTER MUSIC and Nicks’ actress sister Gabrielle Drake, it was felt use of Keith’s photos may not be most appropriate for this project.

Once again providence stepped in with serendipity finding Marcel De Jong’s beautiful Nick Drake comic artwork which now thanks to his kind permission graces the front cover. The perfect cover drawn by a perfect gentlemen! Please check Marcel’s other wonderful artwork at www.marceldejong.com.

Initial responses to this book have been very positive – pre-release sales on Ebay were exciting, and the book will be widely distributed throughout the Australian capital cities.

On March 21st a successful launch event took place at The Inner Light, Rockhampton. Guest musicians Yanna Day, Peta Harth and Shaune Sinclair played great Nick Drake covers to a great supportive audience who all left feeling uplifted by a very unique and wonderful experience.

I hope you enjoy reading these VISIONS OF NICK DRAKE as much as I have bringing them into our world.

VISIONS OF NICK DRAKE was written as a set, and meant to be read as such, but here are a couple of samples for people who are curious..
both poems (c) Cameron Borg 2006

“HANGING FROM A STAR”

Yes!
Celestial connection is still there
my Muse awaits, The Fates must care!
back to Tanworth-In-Arden and on track
days don’t seem so black

The time in Paris did me good
Seeing the world like I should
realising that fame and acclaim are simply illusions
part of a cosmic joke delusion

Some days are hard
but they’re mostly fine
been practising again
in that same orange chair

Remembering when I didn’t have a care -
the burdens have since crept in
shake ‘em off my back
can’t get them from under my skin

The songs are back at last -
I’ll record them soon
album number four will be a blast!

These new songs are still my Truth
some say they sound down
a couple are kind of blues-based
to chase my blues to ground

I’ll record these quick like I did with “Pink Moon”
get them recorded before the return of my gloom.

“BRYTER LAYTER”

Call from London town
“cut another record Nick, we want you back down”
and album number two with BBC weather jargon
- “Bryter Layter”

These are my very best
I’ll record them all and shine light the brightest star
put talent and hope in every groove
with an all-star cast …
I can’t lose

“I know I’m better than the rest
I’ll play it better than anyone
and put it out there for everyone
for the race is there to be won
I know it’s already been said
You know I’ll leave the rest for dead”

I helped create a perfect dream
perfection chiselled and polished
constructed seamlessly of mystical notes
harmonize the world away
bring the world to Life today
it doesn’t matter how long to create a perfect song
songs to make happiness shine
with arrangements bright and sublime
captured swinging ’60′s London
in every beat, crawled down every forsaken street
explored all its history
gave it some mystery
with silver mercurial chemistry

City lights skyline high
hazy light early morning fog
dampens jackets and scarves
of erstwhile commuters
hurrying to their appointed hives
to work towards securing their lives
sun slowly
peaks through cloudy mist
as rain returns reflected in roadway
and sidewalk puddle mirrors
it’s sad grey old and cold
but the forecast is brighter later
for we’re all part of this perfect dream
part of the holy scheme
with our appointed purpose
on the loom held by The Fates

Slow down London you’re moving too fast
swinging singing urban landscape
opportunities with millions of folk
with their own stories
buildings pointing to Heaven above
couples hand in hand in the park in love
Thames winding its way to the endless diamond tide
seagull takes it all in her stride
endless shops – groovy clothes
opportunities endless – everywhere to go …
moving fast in eternal crowds
passing through Trafalgar Square
pigeons with their breadcrumb cares

You look down into London from Hampstead Heath,
as once did the great John Keats,
following the same line of city streets
now Nick is there living in a threadbare flat
and telling everyone where he’s at.