The Sailor's Wife

And then they made love

In the aftermath she cried

Flooded by needs shut down and denied


The sobs wraked her body

Like waves pound a reef

They beat against the jagged wall she’d built to make him bleed


Her body craves the healing waves

To smooth the sharpened sides

But guarded mind throws caution to the turning of the tides

Reviews

[Ashwin Shanker]

This one is very emotional and poetic. Has strong symbolism and empathy.

[TerryDarcy-Ryan akaSh..]

What sweet surrender. There are times when we go against everything we have decided we are or
We just simple give up momentarily. The many ways in which we can give up or give in is with the turning of the tide. This is very deep I walk away with still torn in two directions. Great writing.

Sheer Terror

[Great Aunt Astri]

Like Doodley, I think this poem is open to interpretation. I see it as aperson who is not totally satisfied with her life (or sailor). She shields herself by building a wall which keeps her sailor out, ( hurting him by not 'sharing'). She longs for a different life ('the turning of the tides') but she is tied to the sailor,by her guarded mind. One is left, wishing her well. Your poem is well written and certainly makes one think!

[danielle.]

Hello Great Aunt Astri, thank you for reading & reflecting on my poem.

[.]

I like this piece, 'elle!

With a hint of mystery; that certainly i wanted to read more about, you have eloquently detailed the inner plight of your protagonist; the wives of seamen who shield their love and joys, worries and anger behind strongly built inner walls. Walls that are thrown up or taken down with the coming and going of the tides on which their men travel.

Certainly this piece could be expanded upon and made into a lengthy epic poem, but in the form you have published it, it does enable the reader to imagine for themselves.

A fine write. Nice work.

[danielle.]

Thanks Doodley, perhaps I shall revisit & expand. Or I'd be honoured to collaborate if you would like to extend on the story!