Mammoth

A poem that is reflective as well as acknowledging the importance of fatherhood and appreciation for the magnitude of the sea

I saw an old ship

that would never leave its harbor

again.

 

In the undertow

waited immortal lobsters,

in nets to carry them

to everyone

who ordered fresh, fresh to receive

new meat, sweet from the sea belly.

 

        In Maine, where sea captains

        still grow weathered beards,

        they howl in the wind,

        �"�"lost in the eastern night.

 

Newborn fathers on their knees,

some with tears mixed with

spray from shore rocks�"�"

heads down low and swaying.

They rise like giants,

and turn to face the gate of

trees, prepared to search for

strength, deep into the forest

and return as their fathers were,

 

        wearing bear claws and pine sap.

        As does the captain, in secret,

        who whisper chants before he sleeps.

        He’s been seen by few,

        rocking with his smoke in

        an arm chair, scouting for

        sea monsters he swears

        to children he saw.

 

I watched you all, as a small boy,

turn your heads

       

        to the sea. Cold, dark

        behemoth and blind.

Reviews

[Unspoken poet]

This is really good, love the descriptiveness and imagery, it's very nicely written