vandiemenspeak
vandiemenspeak
Dec 28, 2017

The b r e a k bread t id e.

Float down a river one day, and see
Where it leads. Should it be a tributary
that pushes you out,
or lesser current that sends you
out to the sea?
Stop awhile at the estuary,
and there, find this house.
Thence, break bread with me.
What strange currents drew you here,
are those that led us both to see.

Look out on that placid tide.
Know that sea mounts,
under a brocade ocean hum
with the thunder of volcanoes not done-
Further south, frozen deep,
the lonely remnants of men keep with the bones of ships-

I drift among the galleys of broken wrecks,
sunk deep, into webbing tides
where salt water whittles weak-
The ironwood frames of all those once proudly proclaimed,
and then in ancient slips and jetties set free,
in singing heat and burning eyes of days gone,
they surmise in song:
There in the ice blue depths, were men,
That came from the land of your countrymen
Who could tell where they would end?
When the sea ceased toil in the morning.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: This is a piece inspired by a recent visit to the Mawson exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and to all lost souls at sea. http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/whats_on/exhibitions/current_upcoming/info/mawsons_men

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Tasmania,Australia,Earth,Solar Systems,Milky way,Pint of Guniess, AUS

Favorite Poets: Glen Richards

More from this author

Comments

vandiemenspeak

Actually better than my attempt to describe my thumb and forefinger formed into a ring, and with a snarling sound, say: "What's that?" - A vicious circle! Thanks for reading and yes, of course chuck it on Facebook. Oh, and thank you for another wonderful reading. I am cognizant of my lack of presence recording audio. I offer no excuses, only reasons - life at the moment, is split between three locations and a substantial number of kilometres on the clock,, so thank you for being patient with me.

Cheers Jess.

Chris.

S

It's not that often that I say "most excellent" in reference to a free verse because too many of them are just chopped prose. But THIS is how free form should be done. I salute you......stan

vandiemenspeak

Salute returned, I enjoyed writing this. Tasmania is awash with the wrecks of initially the Dutch, then the French, then the English, and probably, who knows - a few Chinese vessels thrown in. It's one of the most densly populated regions of the old world in terms of bones of sailors, and hulks of ships. Interesting stuff, if you're a wreck diver. Personally I wouldn't go in the water for quids, but I have friends that do, who knows what's down there, and what secrets are buried.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers.

Chris.