A Body on the Water

From the collection of “Bodily Observations”

A glass of peach smoothie

Fell from the sky 

And spilt on the horizon,

Bleeding against funereal tide

As watercolor does on canvas.

A blimpy mass disturbs the rosegold swell,

With deviant, icy grays dissolving into brine.

Bloated, serpent limbs strangled by kelp,

Swollen digits pointing down accusingly.

Rot that rakes the sea invites a feast.

Just as tangy sunlight feeds the mass,

The mass feeds the seagulls,

A school of cowering minnows 

Take refuge in the shade beneath it,

Nibbling sporadically at disintegrated bits.

A femur is shackled to the shallows 

While a rib nestles between the corals.

Rolling waves rock a skull into slumber

Cradled along the seabed where the crabs

Pick away at a mane of algae.

Reviews

[Chris]

Words matter. Each has "meaning" unique to itself, as well as a textural "feel" behind our eyes. The untold wealth value of a treasure so often forgets the decomposition of the bodies of the sailors/adventurers present with it. You've good words... don't let us get lost in them.

[ImOK]

This is my favorite. I agree with Brad, your words have a nice feel to them. It's inspiring.

[Brad Dehler]

There is a visceral feel to your poetry. Thank you, I look forward to reading more

[Relic]

This is pretty gross but very creative. You have a different style than what I'm used to seeing on this site. Keep writing. :)