The sea is hungry -
her appetite growing in the unnatural heat
she rises with the moon
to gorge on soft sandy cliffs,
sneaks into coastal marshes
to steal the mud
leaving behind her calling card
in traces of brine
at high tide
Originally written for Poetry Thursday - theme - be inspired by the newspaper.
I wrote this poem in response to the headline - Living on the Edge, Guardian, 9 October 2006 - article about coastal erosion and its relationship with global climate change and it remains all too relevant 12 years later.
16 comments:
Simple but telling. (Let's hope we can do something to stop global warming)
Beautifully written. Keeping this one.
Love this poem!
This is absolutely breathtaking.
A nicely carved out part of the global issue, and it’s easier to chew on in small pieces.
really good. I loved that you gave her a living realitiy, because the sea is indeed the mother of all, and if we do not honor her she will stop caring for us...Thanks..M
Oh, I had global warming and eroding coastlines in mine, too -- I wonder, as I work through this list, how many references I will see?
The overwhelming issue.
Catherine - indeed let's hope we can do something. Helen - I'm delighted you want to 'keep' this one! Michelle - thanks :). Mike - most of my poems are shorter to make them easier to chew! Madd - yes, the sea is the mother of all. sb yes it is the overwhelming issue. Lynn - thanks!
Great poem! I love how succinct it is...it lends a nice contrast to the size of large shores eroding.
Oh, that's lovely.
The use of the words
hungry
appetite
gorge
were perfect choices for the imagery. Sad but well done!
I agree with Madd, I love the sea-as-woman feeling here. Such simple and beautiful personification.
The way you describe water sneaking into the marsh and gorging on the cliffs reminded me of the reports I've heard about loon populations under major stress this year in NH and ME due to flooding.
I like how you personified the sea. such an interesting takeoff from a news article!
Beautiful poem you have made.
Hello,
Beautiful poem and writing. Thanks for sharing.
I love the ocean! Have a happy day!
Lovely to read :)
All the best Jan
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