the fog stands wet
upon the crumbling cliff
reaching for its home
the dandelions bend
into their wasted selves
flagging a season done
the fescue weaves the earth
into the land
setting the dining table
the scanning sentinel watches
over the world
marking life’s moments.
I watch the wildness
of an island alone
dripping hungry huntsman
I read a children’s story
of sly desire and temptation hung
being disparagingly dismissed undesirable.
I see a tail of tameness
of faithful companionship
springing across the ferns
I yearn to press into that mantle
of warm rust once held
staring back into friendship lost.
∞
Submitted as part of “National Poetry Writing Month – 2017” (#NaPoWriMo2017). Today’s prompt: write a poem, [in honor of Mary Oliver’s work], that is based in the natural world: it could be about a particular plant, animal, or a particular landscape. But it should be about a slice of the natural world that you have personally experienced and optimally, one that you have experienced often. Try to incorporate specific details while also stating why you find the chosen place or plant/animal meaningful.
All text and photography © Dale Schierbeck
…. more of my original Poetry on EatsWritesShoots here.
I’m sure all readers will see and feel differently – I know I’m biased because I was there, but the poem and the photo work off each other so well and evoke different emotions. You can see in the eyes of the fox something different than what you express in your writing – but they complement each other and build depth into the realism of that moment. His ‘smile’ definitely brings across this sense of friendship, kindred spirit, curiosity. And, even though we can’t see outside the frame of your photograph, the wildness of what you do see combined with your descriptions of the island do lead the reader/watcher to imagine what surrounds the photographer as he snaps….certainly no civilization!
Beautiful – that moment is really etched in time.
Ben would be honoured and proud (and whimpering, growling, licking his lips – and your face).
Thank you. Looking forward to hearing how the poem ‘works’ for others, yourself included. I know it works for me: it’s a weird feeling to read one’s own words and feel emotion; almost like it afforded me a layer of detachment to still be present.