[The Hag by artist Iain Lowe, as seen at pagannews.com]
I.
She
stood
at the top
of the dunes,
looking out
to sea,
a tall staff
in her left hand,
the wind blowing back
her long and tangled hair,
cape billowing
like it might
suddenly
take wing.
The skies were gray
and lowering
in spring storm,
the pounding
of the sea
so loud
and wild,
the only other sound
she could hear
was her own
triumphant,
beating
heart.
This was her
very first day
in a new land,
and yet she knew
she had
at last
come home.
II.
The day
she left
the sea
behind,
she left
her spirit
perched
in the branches
of Grandmother Cedar,
for safe-keeping,
for she
hoped
and dreamed
and dreamed
one day
she would
be back.
III.
Now,
she hopes,
perhaps
perhaps
in some
alternate
universe,
she's living
somewhere
the life
she might
have had,
the life
she might
have had,
in a one-room cabin
off the grid,
at the edge
of the forest,
the sea
lapping at
her front door,
and
nothing
man-made
within sight or sound
for twenty miles
or more.
Wolves
patrol
these forests,
and eagles
sing
her mornings awake.
Sunrise
and
sunset
bookend
day
after
perfect
peaceful
day,
and the
somnolent
song of the sea
lulls both
her waking
and
her sleeping
hours.
hours.
Here
some part of her
will perhaps
live out
her final days,
in deep
wilderness,
where
she
the most
belongs.
Hmmmmmmm. I started this for Poets United's Think Tank prompt: She. But think it might also do for Real Toad's prompt, to take something from An Old Man and the Sea and write a poem. Two birds with one stone!
This sounds a bit familiar, or similar to something else you wrote not too long ago. I love the image you found to emphasize your words. I think there is that call in all of us, back to that place where our spirit awakened and found real meaning in life all around us.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Sherry, I know who this is (wink). The whole thing will come to pass, that's my prayer, anyway! Peace, Amy
ReplyDeletehttp://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/christopher-street-3ww/
Oh Sherry, I love your visions in this. Wouldn't it be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
Your poems are beautiful, but every time I read a new one, I find myself wondering about the ultra-short lines, and wondering if it would flow better with a more conventional lineation. So I tried with your first stanza, and it made a load of difference to my tired old eyes:
ReplyDeleteShe stood at the top of the dunes,
looking out to sea,
a tall staff in her left hand,
the wind blowing back
her long and tangled hair,
cape billowing
like it might suddenly take wing.
I immediately calmed down and started to appreciate the outstanding poetry!
I know that it is your usual style to write one and two word lines, but I'm often put off from reading them! I hope you don't mind my presumption.
There is so much I love about this quest for self-fulfillment: The journey, begun so long ago but not yet over, the soul left in the care of the cedar, and the song of the sea. I think each spirit knows where it most longs to be, and is never truly content until it gets there. This spirit longs for the sea.
ReplyDeleteYou piece is so perfect for me. I could see each thing you spoke about. Felt a little uneasy that she left her spirit, thought she might need it? I wish she had left something else? I think this poem really gets the reader involved! And I want to know her adventures... what a great movie this would make!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the aura of the place- serene and surrounded by nature, lonely yet you wouldn't feel alone. And sometimes people lend themselves to a place. I love the way she left her soul in the cedar's keeping, that would assure eternal protection. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDelete'She' seems to be so contented in her world. At one with nature.
I do see some familiarity with her???
A very close to nature and caring piece of writing.
Best wishes for a nice weekend,
Eileen
I know I begin to sound like a broken record, always keening for the sea. But is what came to mind, that moment on the dunes when I saw the prompt: She. Vivienne, that is really good feedback. I will think about that with my short choppy lines. Very helpful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI like the connection with nature your poems make.
ReplyDeleteI, too, envision myself at ocean's side, her rhythm dictating mine. I wonder, though... are there stretches left anywhere that aren't resorts or tourist destinations or home to Hollywood?
ReplyDeleteI love the images that arrive; I would love to live by the sea again. My heart's home~
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I so see your spirit in these words! xXx
Sherry, I enjoyed Viv's interesting comment. I liked the lines each a bit longer. Same words, different style. In any case, I always enjuoy your natural reflections.
ReplyDelete