moon-creature / sea skin
like
white boats
melting
through the sea’s skin
and floating down
to the bottom
scraping
the sea-floor
with heart and bone
never to resurface
I drown -
lost
only gasps
of tears
soaking in and out
of empty space
breathing the purple veil of sad prayers
that stain
a free world, blue
in the quiet,
a murmur
of a ghost
reminds me -
just reminds me…
and I swallow
my tempest
as I let my mind go -
how to explain my intensity?
it often feels like a hurricane
lives under the ocean
and that is the place where boats sink:
the hungry mouth
gaping wide
swallowing
white sails
lost compasses
and the broken sunset
that’s been defeated in the war of fire
parts the clouds into night
and I must learn to light a match
for monsters sleep in the dark
they make a hollow opening
that squeezes my heart
three times
before it steals my breath
and then kindly
kisses me to sleep
I’m a moon-creature
of skin and bone
but how many more prayers must I endure as I walk barefoot?
how many more must I send to the empty stars
before I swallow myself whole?
Comments
Oh wow Erika :( Its like you reached in and wrote out my heart. I so totally feel this! Such an intense and powerful write. Those last three lines…..just amazing and this is one of my very favorites of yours x
Christie! You know I’m not too surprised you can feel this :)
I think you are one of those sensitive people that dwell in the same emotional world as me… your poetry is always packed with flowing emotion and beauty. Love you dear C, xoxo
– Erika .
So intense and emotional, written from the very depths of your soul I feel. Beautiful as always.
Yes, it was Marie…
I can’t thank you enough for your support my friend xx
– Erika .
Oh, my Erika, this is so beautifuly, sadly written. You bore your very soul in this one and I sank and drowned with you. I am also very sensitive, too sensitive for my good and these little pieces just break my heart, especially when it hits home.
Iris
Of course you are a sensitive person :)
and it means so much that you can feel this poem dear Iris. I hope I didn’t break your heart too much ;) It’s so nice seeing you here… xx
– Erika .
amazing piece Erika!
Thank you lovely Ushna!
I do appreciate your visits very much. x
– Erika .
Past Incredible this.. Wow I have read this twice and you metaphors are striking the music of my soul.. xox
“the music of your soul…”
I can feel your words Linaji, I appreciate you very much. You are such a light xox
– Erika .
June 2010
Thank you so much for the honor!
I think it’s my first June feature ;D
– Erika .
You know Erika – your writing has always touched me, your imagery is so incredibly sublime always but I can feel this one into my soul today having asked the same questions of the sea and the moon many times. Just one of your most poignant and evocative poems and it moves me deeply. xox Congratulations on the feature too – this beautiful piece more than deserves it!
Lianne, your detailed and generous comments are always warm and friendly. I am glad you can feel my words, and that you can also relate. I can’t thank you enough for your kind support, my friend xox
– Erika .
My darling, this is so honest. Your sea god tormenting you so much so that you feel the need to burst out the words. I can sympathize for much and am humbled by the way you utilize some of the things we all hold as powerful and sublime and make it all yours.
much respect.
xx
What a kind comment from you Yakusoku…
Thank you for your words, and it’s nice to meet you :)
xx
– Erika .
Ah, the pushing pulling ocean boiling beneath the skin-what ever else could make one feel more alive! It is our emotions that ride us, reminding us we are human; breaking us down and lifting us up in a way that no words could better express than that wave rising up to the throat, and coming out in tears. the ocean inside, outside, and all around back again.
love that circle. :)
beautiful, kindred girl.
xo
you brilliant poetess! Yes, you’ve described that feeling, that cycle so so well!
All I can say is yes…
thank you so much for being here Kristin. Much love to you xoxo
– Erika .
Beautiful writing Erika; feelings I could relate to on a personal level, that sense of intensity where to write is an imperative – I also found living near the sea and loving it very much assisted my profound appreciation of your work – bless you dear grandaughter, your grandfather is proud of you and I do feel this is a favorite of all your work I have had the pleasure of seeingx
oh your words fill my heart up to the brim and I feel it overflowing…
Thank you, grandfather xx
– Erika .