poetry jam
he came from the sea
lived near the beach
a simple spiritual man
a solitary man
he worked on a boat
wore a seaman's cap
all of his life
his eyes were deep rock pools
full of wonder and wisdom
he knew
when the furies were approaching
before any weather forecast
she saw the wind speaking to him
he could read the sky and sea
like the corners of a lover's mouth
she remembers his face
when he received the news
the life sentence of
retirement on land
his wound became hers
she adored him
he died soon afterwards
from grief
in a hospital bed
they dressed him in
a suit and bow tie
to look nice for the viewing
she was enraged
went beserk
lashed out at them
they said she is a child
she doesn't understand
oh but she did
She certainly understood him more far more than anyone else. So beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have an association, a love affair with the sea, you are a salt and it would have grieved him to be dressed this way. She knew him well and clearly loved him.
ReplyDeleteShe knew him well . . .
ReplyDeletesad, his passing; have a nice Wednesday
ReplyDeletemuch love...
"they dressed him in / a suit and bow tie / to look nice for the viewing" expresses the saddest part of the poem...and thus her reaction...heartfelt lines...
ReplyDeleteThroughout my reading, I thought of my grandfather whose life was a sea. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSad! really!! a man so in love with the Sea! i think for them sailors... its a way of life... i can imagine the passion and the feeling of oneness that one might have after being so long in the wwaters!!
ReplyDeleteAnd right she was to be angry! He was not a man for a suit! I hope he was scattered at sea!
ReplyDeleteOh but she did. He wanted his seaman's cap and fishing togs. I love that "she saw the wind speaking to him". I knew men like him in Tofino. Wise wise eyes.
ReplyDeleteSo sad how people arranging funerals never seem to know the people or want to make the deceased into someone that they're not. Hope that he found his way to the sea. I'm going to be a coral reef ;-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Sounds like she really knew him. It wouldn't have bothered him too much being dressed for the benefit of others. He was free, not in the coffin and wise enough to understand.
ReplyDeleteHe knew the sea and she knew him....a powerful write for sure!!
ReplyDeletepoignant and intriguing poem, beautiful relationship
ReplyDeleteSee The Sea
so touching and beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteVery poignant description of a man's life and death and of the woman who understood him. Lovely write, Rall.
ReplyDelete(PS: Yes, I love music and classical music especially. One of these days I might get enough time [and courage] to put up some of the music I have composed...)
Gasp !....a composer....although I am not surpised...who else but a musician would acknowledge Peter Sculthorpe's passing.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need courage. Why? Who can write music down these days...no one practically ! I compose as well:)Ooooo very exciting news Nicholas:)