Into the black waves, I would ride
In a single white boat
My hands paddling the wooden oars
To the farthest point I see
Early morning is my time
to submit to nature's will
My heart's a broken wheel
So faint, I am flat leaf
The sun is tugging a rope
Pressing the weight of death
So deep onto my chest
I am a fragment
Knotted, undistinguished
As shell bone or sponge
Water rushes into my ears
I embrace brine & foam
This sea & darkening sky
becomes a forest bed, I am
Giant kelp, floating mat
Letting the fish, sharks & lobsters
Carry me forth, cell after cell
Weed upon weed, I say
To all living creatures
Take every part of me as food
And multiply in ignorance*
*Line and verses inspired by Unsettled Motorcyclist Visions of His Death by Thom Dunn
Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Inspired by poems of Thom Dunn
and Poets United - Thanks for the visit ~
The opening line is a stunning entrance to this stunning poem...each 'I' statement suggests a knowing very far from ignorance
ReplyDeleteWhen we feel truly part of the world then perhaps we too will be happy to talk as this and be part of actual Earth once again
ReplyDeletewow, quite profound especially....to all living creatures/take every part of me as food/And multiply in ignorance
ReplyDeleteit is said...she who accepts ignorance as one's meal will be ultimately sated
gracias, mi amiga...Grace-fully stated
The idea of becoming part of the world is described in such a rich manner in your poem. It is one way to 'embrace' the world.
ReplyDeleteTo be part of forest and the waves. Love the organic way you describe it, yet so intense with dark colors, with weight and brine, it's not without pain to dive into the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a powerful write..the idea of becoming a part of the cycle of nature is embedded strong and true.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
This reads like a marriage between a dark fairy tale and a fable--love it... and it leaves me thinking of mermaids.
ReplyDeleteThe images of the white boat and the black waves bring home to me a combination of life and death...an intense and rich poem....
ReplyDeleteEverything sure becomes part of the world at its own pace
ReplyDeleteIgnorance of death is indeed a super powerful life force. Intense and honest poem, Grace--
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your work on those prompts--I have really enjoyed them very very much. Stay well. I'm assuming you'll still be posting! Thanks. k.
Sweet mother of pearl, this is INSANELY good, Grace!!! I haven't wanted to write in ages, but this makes me actually want to. I adore your writing, but this piece is likely my favorite.
ReplyDeletea strong close to this one... adding what is left to other circles of life... maybe that's how it should be...it def. makes sense
ReplyDeleteYou've made a beautiful poem of your own.
ReplyDeleteThe opening is dark yet beautiful..I can feel the oars hit the waves of emotions..is death the end or a new beginning?
ReplyDeleteA remarkable exploration of a kind of 'sea change' and artistic conception of death.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous imagery here. Breathtaking.
ReplyDeletewow i just wrote something about the sea, so wonderful to see this take
ReplyDeleteHis form, indeed, and that calm pacing into an unbelievable death and resurrection as part of every living thing. Ignorance only? Is that all we humans leave as we vanish into the earth?
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant write, Grace, full of amazing imagery and going straight to the heart as the narrator contemplates life and death. I LOVE "I say to all living creatures, take every part of me as food."
ReplyDeleteWow Grace this is powerful...the opening lines are mesmerizing with the image that accompanies your poem and the ending stunning!
ReplyDeleteWonderful imagery!
ReplyDeleteA visceral and emotive articulation of an artist's conception of life to death - the eternal circle.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful capture of life and death...
ReplyDeleteI am not unsettled in my vision Grace. I die by whatever or however circumstances prevail over life here then I move on to the limitless cosmos and am one with it.
ReplyDeleteThere is great magic and wisdom in this poem..like a floating leaf learning how to say afloat
ReplyDeleteWe can not escape nature. It catches us quickly and sometime unexpectedly. Have a beautiful week and thank you!
ReplyDeleteloved the abrupt ending. and yes, the sea is always an inspiration isn't it? loved it!!!
ReplyDelete"I am a fragment
ReplyDeleteKnotted, undistinguished
As shell bone"
"Take every part of me as food
And multiply in ignorance"
Excellent work.
Well written.
ReplyDeleteWhew. That last line caught me, I felt the submission,
ReplyDeletebut there was a sadness or pain in reading that last line
and it made me think of the mess we have made of nature.
I love the oceanic view and becoming one with the sea - as synchronicity would have it I just wrote one in my journal about the same thing! :) Thank you, again for all of your wonderful challenges and poems.
ReplyDelete