Dry Oceans

Dry oceans

lying low

like vast, empty basins.

Dustbowls of the soul.

Pale in the moonlight,

grey horizons blurred,

waters gone, evaporated.

Theft in the clear, open sky.

Muffled echoes

along the rim

sound like wolves baying,

sheep crying,

lambs dying.

Ships used to pass this way

brimful of cargo,

bounty,

spice,

exotic fruit.

The promise of love

and adventure.

Swashbuckling sailors

trading stories

and contraband.

Romantic, illicit, alive.

All gone now -

petrified in the drought.

Their bones half-buried.

Dirt-caked jewellery

upturned,

dull and valueless.

Their ships' grey carcasses

drawing long shadows

in the dust.

Like whalebones in the desert.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the bottom.

The cracked, salty plain.

Like hell,

but cold and bright.

Hanging in your face,

like a light bulb

in an empty room.

The lowest place on Earth.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

'Pale in the moonlight, ~ grey horizons blurred, ~ waters gone, evaporated. ~
Theft in the clear, open sky.'

Why do i think of an intrepid explorer coming to the end of his last journey! This reeks of desolation, it's dead or dying and you're there, seeing it all, unable to change a thing .. tis like a body's spirit drying out, everything near past, almost done.

You have an amazing imagination yet there's an immense amount of darkness that chills the reader, this reader .. i feel like sending you a handful of sunbeams but that would probably infuriate you. Will read more another time. Might find some light somewhere.

[C.R.Turner]

Thanks Emma! I had a conversation with someone recently and we agreed that there tends to be a race to the bottom when it comes to dark poetry - to see how low and dark you can go..

This poem was written at a very, very low point I admit, but thankfully I have been able to climb out of that particular chasm since. Thank you so much for your review, and for your humanity! x

[Michael Kevin Spencer]

This was an incredible piece, a great topic choice. I did not realize you got 2 of the top 3 poems. Well done.

[C.R.Turner]

Thanks Michael! I'm feeling better already! :)

[LA Lorena]

Your imagery here is superb my friend. You have captured that dark abyss well, and I loved your descriptions, so capable of painting this perfect picture of that dark place.

[not here]

Hi C.
When I read 'Dry Oceans' metaphorically, I love it.
Especially (like ghostofdawn) "whale bones in the desert"
I think I've been there and looked upon them once.
Thanks for sharing

[John]

I like the spareness of the description and the fact that you don't push the metaphor into Ozymandias Territory i.e. suggesting the oceanless desert is some kind of symbol for the fate that will befall civilization. The poem for me suggests this, but doesn't push it.

[C.R.Turner]

Thanks for that John! That wasn't the intended message of the poem as it happens, but does it matter? That's the beauty of poetry you can take from it what you like - what means something to you. It's a personal experience. Really appreciate the comments, thanks!

[asdarkeyesclose]

'Like whalebones in the desert.'

this had a raw quality to it that appealed to me on first reading and more so the second time i read it. i liked the descriptions and the quality of your images. fantastic.

[C.R.Turner]

Thank you!!! I'm very happy with this one! :)

[Talal Hussain]

nice composition..made my day :-)

[C.R.Turner]

Thank you Talal!

[Zoelouise]

This made my imagination run wild, i almost forgot i was sat by my computer. For a moment it felt as if i was actually there

[C.R.Turner]

Can't say I would recommend this place! :) Thanks for the kind words ZL.