Monday, January 16, 2012

Speak god

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:

Brigid O'Connor said...

Beautiful imagery, Isabel and such a great photo this week.

izzy said...

Lovely- sounds Atlantean! I thank you
for visiting Gods-

Suz said...

WHY THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL
AND HAUNTING

Anonymous said...

I like that last line indeed!
A tale well told.

Jamie

Trellissimo said...

Great last line image!

Tess Kincaid said...

Historical...evocative...delicious...

Brian Miller said...

nice...the tale you spin was done well...and that last line stole the show...

Berowne said...

Reminded me so much of "Those are pearls that were his eyes..."

Kay said...

that last line....wow!

Susan Anderson said...

This one lives and breathes.

Compelling story.

=)

Unknown said...

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.

jabblog said...

Very powerful. A beautiful piece of writing, Isabel.

Carrie Van Horn said...

Truly captivating writing here!!!

Kathe W. said...

Bravissimo!

Helena said...

This comes as one of my favourites this week. Such a stunning write!

Mary said...

....'the god of alabaster eyes' ..great line and a great piece. Well done.

Helen said...

Immense and yes ... amazing!

lucychili said...

yes i like your gods dressed in barnacles =) chaos and regeneration

Marylinn Kelly said...

Imagine the discovery, proof of entering the ancient world. What an evocative tale, easy to envision this is just how it was. xo