The stone from
the petrified forest
curved to my
grip. It hid
in my palm
all day: I
clutched it for
magic.
Towers of
spray swirled, fell,
slid and regathered.
Signposts warned us
chunks of path
could drop from
beneath our feet
abruptly.
A merman
played in my
mind in the
green, lonely in
these wild waters,
these last wild
waters. His race
is extinct now.
© Rosemary Nissen 1988
First published Country Collection anthology (Warrnambool Writers’ group)
Also in Secret Leopard (Paris, Alyscamps, 2005)
Posted here now in order to show someone who hasn't got the book.
Also linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #397
Posted here now in order to show someone who hasn't got the book.
Also linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #397
Wonderful, magical, powerful ... I loved finding this place where "towers of /
ReplyDeletespray swirled, fell, /slid and regathered" and the door open to a lost past. These creatures are deep within us ...
So they are! Thanks for reading. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteSuch exquisite imagery in this, Rosemary!💞 "A merman played in my mind in the green".. wow!😍
ReplyDeleteA magical poem, Rosemary. The first stanza really gripped me and I love the sense of danger in the second. The final line is tinged with sadness.
ReplyDeleteFrom the firs words this poem really pulled me in, and there I was with you on the seashore.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem you promoted some great visuals in my mind...
ReplyDeleteI love the poem held in the hand, and the thoughts of the merman, now extinct. What a wonderful story in this poem.
ReplyDeleteLike Bjorn, from the first words, you had me, rocks, shells and other natural things are filled with magic. We can learn a lot from them. But it does take patience.
ReplyDeleteThe magic of the piece is made so much more immediate and powerful by its ending. To have experienced such wonder... just to have it gone. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLuv that merman's invasion
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Rosemary, a magical time this; when stone is rolled away and risen Son of God is alive. WE REMEMBER!!!
much love...
Loved the way you expressed it, the underlying meanings are so deep.
ReplyDeletea magical ride, and adventure-filled too.
ReplyDeletei liked titles taken from the first line, in this case, it is showing me, the stone could be the thing that triggered the visuals of the merman. :)
I love those last wild areas and imagining the civilizations lost who once lived there....I loved how you crafted this.
ReplyDeleteThe glimpse of that lost magical world makes me dream of all the wonders that could have been.
ReplyDeleteA magical poem Rosemary! I know and still swear to this day that I saw a mermaid lying on the beach when I was 10. I wrote a poem about it at Toads. I love the piece of petrified wood that hid in your hand. Just love it.
ReplyDeleteThose ancient piees of wood can take you travelling. They have witnessed so very much!
ReplyDeleteLove your spectacular imagery,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com
This so easy to picture and that feeling of grief that he exists no more is palpable. Absolutely sad and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.. that merman extinct ...wonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteI echo all these comments. I felt like I was in a dream the moment I started reading. I think there is good magic throughout this poem. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And yes those "stones" are ours to find on our path... and picked up for the day's magic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "head down before the "heads up" : )
ZQ
Magical ... there is such a lovely elegance in this cascade of imagery, that closes so poignantly. This is the kind of piece, that gives contemplative pause.
ReplyDelete