Sunday, February 24, 2013

14 Lines

© Isadora Gruye



 
I look for her along the tempest sky
   n' whiskey sea
her Glassine eyes open
dusk to moon's tide.

Her siren's song spun me like gypsy gold
outlined my Porcelain sails
my heart cracked like leather.

Landlubber now
my bones sit on our gateway bench
our natura morta.

Our journey once
 threaded by silver stars and an indigo atlas
Her winged wisdom now perched
as a mute Swan.


    © Ellen Wilson
  





Over in the Garden-Kerry shared Izy's photos and asked us for 14 lines.  I also thought I would participate in the Poetry Pantry!   Happy Sunday~


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49 comments:

  1. alan1704February 24, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    I love the line - My heart cracked like leather - great image. Love the picture too. Life is great from a park bench :)

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:54 AM

      Hi Mametz,
      Yes, it truly can be ;D
      Thank you~

      Delete
  2. Maude LynnFebruary 24, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    This is lovely, Ella!

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  3. Kerry O'ConnorFebruary 24, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    I think this is just excellent, Ella, both as a response to the photo and to the challenge of writing in 14 lines. You have used some wonderful word combos and I really like the 4 - 3 - 3 - 4 lined stanzas - it makes for an unusually compelling flow of the rhythm.

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:53 AM

      Kerry,
      I became enchanted with the crossover
      of sea life and landlubbers.
      Thank you so much...
      :D

      Delete
  4. Laurie KolpFebruary 24, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    Gorgeous, Ella. I especially like: Her siren's song spun me like gypsy gold

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  5. MaryFebruary 24, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    Beautifully wrought, Ella. The last stanza is particularly stunning.

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:52 AM

      Hi Mary,
      Thank you!
      I left it obscure, so when read it would
      make others wonder ;D

      Delete
  6. Amrit SinhaFebruary 24, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    These are beautiful 14 lines !!!

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  7. MixiFebruary 24, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    This is a song, it is so lyrical and flows so beautifully.. terrific!

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:50 AM

      Hi Mixi
      Thank you-maybe I need to go tune
      my guitar ;D

      Delete
  8. Lisa A. WilliamsFebruary 24, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    This is truly a lovely poem, a lyrical masterpiece.

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    Love all of this, but especially your second stanza. Great imagery,

    Elizabeth

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  10. MarianFebruary 24, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    awwww.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Beautiful piece of poetry!

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  12. Janine BolléeFebruary 24, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    Ella, a timeless piece of work. A fairytale with strands in real life.

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:48 AM

      Thank you Aprille!
      Yes, the Little Mermaid did come to shore.
      ;D

      Delete
  13. LauraFebruary 24, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Oh Ella, this is exquisite, so many beautiful, shimmering lines threaded through.

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    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:47 AM

      Hi Laura,
      Yes, I had fun writing this one!
      Oh, I love your pretty comment
      :D

      Delete
  14. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    This is lovely, Ella - the porcelain sails and the cracked leather heart - very pretty language and imagery. k.

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    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:47 AM

      Thank you! Those sailor types are tough-I know I'm married to one ;D

      Delete
  15. Judy RoneyFebruary 24, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    I felt as I read this aloud that it's how I feel about growing older. Not ready for the bench yet though...I want to keep sailing. :)

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    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:34 AM

      Yes, keep sailing...the bench is there
      when the time is right!
      I didn't intend for it to be like that, but I can
      see it now!
      I see more layers now~
      Thanks for sharing :D

      Delete
  16. Eileen T O'Neill .....February 24, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Ella,

    A sad poem, but written with great sensitivity. Growing old has its twists and ends.

    A very nice poetic style Ella:)

    Eileen

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:33 AM

      Hi Eileen,
      I really like your interpretation!
      I was thinking of some of the people
      I know and how difficult their relationships
      are, when they marry a man that goes to sea.

      Thank you~
      :D

      Delete
  17. Sherry Blue SkyFebruary 24, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    I love "her siren's song spun me like gypsy gold". Beautiful, kiddo!

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:30 AM

      Thank you Sherry!
      So much gold, unseen in our world~
      People need to open their eyes to the
      true treasures ;D

      Delete
  18. PanchaliFebruary 24, 2013 at 11:07 PM

    "Her winged wisdom now perched
    as a mute Swan..." --WOW!! Beautiful lines, Ella.

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:29 AM

      Hi Panchali
      I <3 your interview!
      Beautiful!
      Thank you so much
      :D

      Delete
  19. Abin ChakrabortyFebruary 25, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    a poem of excellent diction and imagery.absolutely wonderful.

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  20. UnknownFebruary 25, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    Lots of imagery here, Ella

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  21. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:49 AM

    Hi Rosemary
    :D
    Thank you~

    ReplyDelete
  22. MargaretFebruary 26, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    "I look for her along the tempest sky
    n' whiskey sea"...

    Such yearning on a park bench! loved it.

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    Replies
    1. EllaFebruary 26, 2013 at 5:07 PM

      :D Thank you!
      Yes, those park benches instill romantic notions!

      Delete
  23. WillowFebruary 28, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    I love it all, but especially "Porcelain Sails...and the final stanza. Excellent.

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    Replies
    1. EllaMarch 2, 2013 at 6:53 AM

      Hi Willow
      Thank you! I know I thought of delicate, when I used it! :D

      Delete
  24. UnknownMarch 2, 2013 at 1:07 AM

    I'm not smart enough to understand all of it, but I sure loved "Glassine eyes." That gave me a very unsettled feeling - and I delight in being unsettled! :-)

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    Replies
    1. EllaMarch 2, 2013 at 6:53 AM

      Hi Lexa-I went with that image, because I though everyone would see what they want. Did she drown in his love-lose her sense and place in the world? Or are we talking about him being a widow and she is dying. I liked making everyone wonder! Yes, you are smart enough-it is for you to see what you want!
      I wrote it thinking about my life. I married a sailor-he is in the Navy. Their hearts are tough nuts to crack-they go away for months and have a secret world. It is a delicate balance to live this life. He has been gone seven months than home. A dance of control and trust- Truth-he is retiring soon and I'm trying to find my way. I lost my career in his world, all the moving, and I have dealt with some sickness. Yes, unsettling is the best way to describe it! I'm unsettled about my footing and he is losing his~ ...the bench for me meant reflection. I should name the poem Unsettling :D
      Thanks Lexa!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 2, 2013 at 7:30 AM

      I'm glad your hubby will come home soon. Your life has definitely been unsettled, but women are very adaptable. I'm sure you can return to your career or find a new one. My very best wishes for you both! :-)

      Delete
    3. EllaMarch 4, 2013 at 10:04 AM

      Thank you Lexa @>------

      Delete

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