China Silk, Crows & Sea Shells

Each evening the moon is netted by the sea

To light her rhythmic waves of green marble

And there it sits. Its light as pale as milk,

Quivering, as if of China silk

This silver doubloon, this marvel.

 

Behind me stands a single tree

Housing crows that speak of the sprite

And their cautionary sermon preaching

That they’re very loudly screeching

Of the fey who could steal you in the night

 

I ignore their sonorous cawing, let

The wind waft by with its lesson to teach

For amidst the sand-crusted seaweed

My nimble fingers are searching with speed

for possible gems upon this rocky beach

 

And midst those twisted ribbons

Strange shapes poke through the slime

My eyes examining their grainy shells

That hold the ocean’s salty smells

With a hint of a milder clime.

 

I lift them to my ear one by one

Listening to their history that tells of pain,

And their people who redressed that wrong

Then think of this land where I belong,

Wondering, “Will it ever breathe freely again?”

 

Footnote:

Twisted ribbons are seaweeds

Fey = fairy

The fairy spoken of here is a Unseelie Court.

The Unseelie Court (of Scottish folkore) is one of the divisions within the fairy population

They appear at night and assault travellers

Often carrying them through the air, beating them.

Reviews

[Shelley Warner]

I like that you include a glossary. A very poetic piece about the sea. Nice.

[Pauline]

Thanks Shelly