Estuary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estuary

 

 

 

The tide at crest carries me

To the hard land of my ancestors,

Mountain glen, green onion meadow.

 

Ebb tide pulls me to open seastead,

Washes from me

One poem at a time.

 

Swirled water teems with life

When the world tilts...falling-off words

Know laughter, salt tears.

 

There is no way to write

This gently: There may be a plant called

Dead man fingers, in the slough, the bog,

 

The estuary, where my life begins or ends,

Bursting with an unshallow tongue.

Also, common birds of sudden flight,

 

Glorytime.  In spite of all that

Slip under my womanwing...

Plunge like a gull from the infinite

 

To find harbor in the lee:

I offer contemplation

Of greenbunched daffodils,

 

Springing,

Or a rudderless leaf riding to the sea,

Home again.

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you so much for reading. This is the signature poem in Estuary, Poetry of Barbary Chaapel, which will be available on my web site, www.barbarychaapel.com by the end of July.

Reviews

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As I read again, first I said wow...these are my two favorite poets, you and Julien. You are both so fine. Barbary, your phrasing is so perfect. With the simple statement: "The tide at crest carries me to the hard land of my ancestors" I had not a glimpse but I knew fully the difficulty of life for your ancestors ...... I FELT it. then as if by miracle the next line or two brought us back to the gentle flowing sweetness that emanated from duress. You are at times to me a genious. Also, I wish to thank you for your numerous kind reviews. You have encouraged me over the past two or so years and to you I would listen. THANKYOU. Today I was at the VA all day as I prepare to do an internship with them with their creative writing program. I am very excited! Your exceptional writing and kind mentoring have influenced me in the direction that I have chosen.

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Barbary, first how good it is to run into you. The poem ... like a Barbary fix for me. It is so uncluttered as to welcome with open arms my own psyche and emotions that are now allowed to come flowing in to join you in your water winged world. A place that I always love to play.

[julian3]

As a member of the Barbary Fan Club, I must say that the visions and images brought forth by these lines, lift the mind and spirit and carry them on a magical voyage. And the last two lines are my favorite! Splendid as always - and I look forward to seeing more!