Monday, January 21, 2013

Bioluminescence: a Pantoum

bioluminescence scene from the Life of Pi


a night of stars, so beautiful to see
no man-made light to dull the star-flung sky
the wake behind the boat all shimmery
its silver glory captivates my eye

no man-made light to dull the star-flung sky
nothing between the universe and I
a silver glory captivates my eye
so luminous the sea, content my sigh

nothing between the universe and I
my full heart bursts with love for all I see
so luminous the sea, content my sigh
this only place I ever want to be

my full heart bursts with love for all I see
the wake behind the boat all shimmery
this only place I ever want to be
this night of stars, so beautiful to see

Kids, when I had first moved to Tofino, and was exploring the brand new life of my dreams with a voyager's heart, one midnight boat ride I saw bioluminescence for the first time........it was spectacular, magical, unbelievably lovely.

Yesterday afternoon I watched The Life of Pi in 3-D . It was visually stunning - stars, waves, bioluminescence, and a Bengal tiger who reminded me of Pup, whom I still miss so much, and apparently always will. I was bereft when the movie ended. It reminded me of having to leave Tofino, and then losing Pup, who had been my companion through those happy years, as well as the sadder ones that followed leaving our hearts' home. My heart sort of broke all over again.

But just to think - such beauty once was mine. I do remember to be so grateful for that. 

And if you want to see something utterly magical, go see Life of Pi.

14 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry, I don't know that I have ever seen bio luminescence.... It is wonderful that you can reflect back and appreciate the 'magic' that once was yours as you do. It is not always easy to be grateful for what ONCE was and is no more. You do such a good job with that!

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  2. The book and the movie are really great. I'm glad you are grateful for the memories.

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  3. A lovely form, I specially like the night of stars, so beautiful to see ~

    I must check out the Life of Pi ~ Thanks for sharing your heart ~

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  4. i've only seen bioluminescence on television.

    after more than six years, i still dream of Jazz, my Maine Coon cat companion for 17 years. i'm still hoping for a time when i can think of him without so much pain.

    a lovely poem, Sherry. i'll take your advice on the movie!

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  5. Hi Sherry, I like your chain poem. ~~ When I was growing up on the farm we had more stars than I could believe there were based on what we can see now.

    It must have been quite an experience for you, seeing your lights. Do the Northern Lights or the Southern Cross count. No, these are sky lights also.

    We do have swamp gas around here but I have never seen any.
    ..

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  6. Those beauties/griefs are crystal stones rolled in the ocean of our selves until the edges are worn off and we get to show them to people in poems like this.

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  7. a night of stars, so beautiful to see....whenever I feel down I go out and gaze up at the night sky and see a million dreams waiting to be dreamed and twinkling wishes if I just ask...beautiful poem Sherry. There is a bit in each of our hearts that is full of memories, but bittersweet with loss.

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  8. Nothing speaks poetry quite like the stars. I'm so sorry your heart is sad and reminded of loss. And I will certainly search for the movie; I've yet to see it.

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  9. I rarely go to the movies anymore...since home video started, people think they are in their living rooms at home, and talk out loud or use their phones or whatever, and I can't enjoy the movie. But I read the book almost a decade ago, and really enjoyed it. I knew you would like it.

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  10. Thanks that you created that magic for us too.... lovely.

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  11. Sherry, you know I saw the movie with the girls, and yes...it was sigh..beautiful. That you experienced the bioluminescence, wow!

    But just to think - such beauty once was mine. I do remember to be so grateful for that.

    You are blessed, Sherry, and let's not forget the whales nudging at your boat!

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  12. I do love a pantoum and you have inspired me to find the time to write another. I read The Life of Pi, and found it to be one of the most inspiring pieces of modern literature. I'm afraid I can't ruin that existential experience with the movie, but I believe it is beautifully done.

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  13. Well, of COURSE you remember seeing bioluminescence for the first time, because I do, too.
    I was 17, on a boat going up the coast toward Princess Louisa Inlet, and was in complete awe...one of the things we need always remember, along with gratitude for having seen it, and for being able to appreciate its beauty.
    (Have you ever been to Desolation Sound? Far too beautiful to have such a name.)
    K


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  14. Wow, wow, wow...
    this is amazing and so stunning!
    Thank you for sharing...now trying to decide on the book or the movie?!
    Thank you Sherry :D

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