The Cypress and the Salmon

The Cypress and the Salmon

 

You are roped tightly to the gales,

and blow about in rivers and pools.

O how I’ve longed to fall among

the waves so I might sail with you.

 

But my roots run deep here

in the dirt, so on this bank I stand.

Is this our to fate, to be torn apart

by the curse of sea and land?

 

Would you settle for starry skies

and a horizon of velvety grass?

Then we may sail in each others eyes

and our journey forever last.

 

But do you ever wonder Dear,

where our love would be,

If you threw your skin upon

the sand , and I into the sea?

 

Perhaps its better we stay our hearts,

for you are a fish and I a tree,

but know that from our distant shores,

I will always long for thee.

                            -VCJ

 

 

 

Author's Note

This was originally a "breakup" poem for my boyfriend, who I never ended up leaving...it's now the second piece I've had published by Nipissing.

Reviews

[Cicera]

I really like this poem and the idea behind it, and after it. Usually for a similar situation that describes several breakings and weldings of relationships, allegories such as the bird that finally got in the cage or maybe the bird that returned to the nest-said more tenderly-would be to the same effect. But here there is also the harmony in nature that connects the most incompatible of things. And there is a deeper thought in the coming back of the seasons, the return of imigrants and love without words or ceremonies that surrounds us all the time. Deeply in nature, one is always in a state of longing, and there is always something to wait for.

[jenbem]

this is amazing. wow.
oh, just checked your bio...way to be an English major!!
'a horizon of velvety grass' --what a wonderful image and line!!
Personally, I'm not a fan of archaic words or stanza end rhyme, but this is totally changing my mind. In a way it is very Wordsworthian. Absolutely stunning. You deserve to have this published, I would publish it in my magazine as well.
Kudos for a fabulous poem.