sculpture: Jason deCaires Taylor |
Speak god
That night the storm tore at the coast,
pulling down rock cliffs and shifting hillsides
the mighty Longinus estate slipped into the sea,
many cattle were lost, slaves too
and the landscape changed as if an earthquake had ridden through
Below, the sea’s bed churned with mud, cluttered debris from above,
and new currents swept the old harbours away, navigation even for fish, lost
Three slaves from the ship survived the wreck 'til day break,
their execution – an appeasement to deaf gods – was slow and agonising;
their screams would wake the idle gods
while clouds ran from a scurrying sky, appalled
The rest – sailors who fell with the bronze,
their bones like pearls about the lost god – took the easy sacrifice
The god of alabaster eyes, dressed in barnacles now, is silent
Inspired by a bronze statue of Poseidon or Zeus, found by a vacationing diver, and by the photo prompt offered by Tess at The Mag. More results of her inspiration can be found swimming here.
x
19 comments:
Beautiful imagery, Isabel and such a great photo this week.
Lovely- sounds Atlantean! I thank you
for visiting Gods-
WHY THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL
AND HAUNTING
I like that last line indeed!
A tale well told.
Jamie
Great last line image!
Historical...evocative...delicious...
nice...the tale you spin was done well...and that last line stole the show...
Reminded me so much of "Those are pearls that were his eyes..."
that last line....wow!
This one lives and breathes.
Compelling story.
=)
It is always compelling to think about how instantaneously the weather can sweep away lives, houses, whole towns and villages. Your poem is in a way, a cautionary tale with vivid imagery. It captured my imagination. Thank you for sharing.
Very powerful. A beautiful piece of writing, Isabel.
Truly captivating writing here!!!
Bravissimo!
This comes as one of my favourites this week. Such a stunning write!
....'the god of alabaster eyes' ..great line and a great piece. Well done.
Immense and yes ... amazing!
yes i like your gods dressed in barnacles =) chaos and regeneration
Imagine the discovery, proof of entering the ancient world. What an evocative tale, easy to envision this is just how it was. xo
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