I particularly appreciate the textures in this poem, which are brought home to me with your description of manna as "Crackers of life." That's a terrific sound paired with the perfect depiction of food by the seashore: dry, salty, brittle.
The details here are exquisite. I appreciate the detritus I associate with the shore, especially in our polluted world. And it's not lost on me how you call my attention to forging among this mess of salted, brittle litter for nourishment.
A beautiful read. It landed with me in the UK before first light, and leaves me with images of the seashore and the flame of hope. A wonderful morning meditation 💙
Part 2 of your poem just washed ashore in Australia. I found it on the high tide mark of your subconscious, just after dawn, waiting for me when I awoke, as if you dreamed it into being over there in America and somehow left it behind on my psychic shoreline here - a transient thought transformed to permanent text, for the rest of us to share.
Better than sky crackers. Far more nutritious.
I wake into a grey and rainy morning, yearning only for a cup of coffee - my first priority - then I open Substack and find a mental breakfast served up ready to go.
There's a good message in those two last lines: don't allow yourself to become overwhelmed by the disaster - carry on, live as you go, and who knows what unexpected joys will come from making the most of the wreckage?
'In hunger and ecstasy we rumba in the flickering orange light.
No one will be lost or cold tonight.'
This is an excellent and very logical follow up to part 1, and overall (when the parts are combined) truly terrific.
Thank you so much for the read and for seeing the poem so clearly, Martin. Your impression was exactly my intent. Thank you for your support as I learn the ropes here. It means a lot. Cheers.
As well as my collected edition of Emily Dickinson, which is quite heavy, I have a little pocket book containing a 100 poems, Wes, and I woke up with this in my hand. So I looked to see what I had been reading, and it was this: 'It might be easier to fall - with land in sight '. The thing is not to fail. To remember joy can come from the most unexpected situations.
I particularly appreciate the textures in this poem, which are brought home to me with your description of manna as "Crackers of life." That's a terrific sound paired with the perfect depiction of food by the seashore: dry, salty, brittle.
The details here are exquisite. I appreciate the detritus I associate with the shore, especially in our polluted world. And it's not lost on me how you call my attention to forging among this mess of salted, brittle litter for nourishment.
Terrific poem, Jed. Thank you for sharing it.
Damn Jeremy. I know you know how good it feels when even just one friend out in the world understands what you were trying to say.
Thank you as always for the generous and deep read.
I do indeed, Jed. It's my pleasure. Thank you for writing this. It made my day better.
A beautiful read. It landed with me in the UK before first light, and leaves me with images of the seashore and the flame of hope. A wonderful morning meditation 💙
Thank you so much for reading, Caroline... Means a lot.
Hi friend Jed
Part 2 of your poem just washed ashore in Australia. I found it on the high tide mark of your subconscious, just after dawn, waiting for me when I awoke, as if you dreamed it into being over there in America and somehow left it behind on my psychic shoreline here - a transient thought transformed to permanent text, for the rest of us to share.
Better than sky crackers. Far more nutritious.
I wake into a grey and rainy morning, yearning only for a cup of coffee - my first priority - then I open Substack and find a mental breakfast served up ready to go.
And damn I needed it.
Which is to say - Thankyou!!!
Best Wishes - Dave :)
There's a good message in those two last lines: don't allow yourself to become overwhelmed by the disaster - carry on, live as you go, and who knows what unexpected joys will come from making the most of the wreckage?
'In hunger and ecstasy we rumba in the flickering orange light.
No one will be lost or cold tonight.'
This is an excellent and very logical follow up to part 1, and overall (when the parts are combined) truly terrific.
Thank you so much for the read and for seeing the poem so clearly, Martin. Your impression was exactly my intent. Thank you for your support as I learn the ropes here. It means a lot. Cheers.
Great comments, enjoyable poem, thanks
As well as my collected edition of Emily Dickinson, which is quite heavy, I have a little pocket book containing a 100 poems, Wes, and I woke up with this in my hand. So I looked to see what I had been reading, and it was this: 'It might be easier to fall - with land in sight '. The thing is not to fail. To remember joy can come from the most unexpected situations.
Who wrote that interesting quote? Sounds like our gal Emily.
'It might be easier to fall - with land in sight '
I am sure she read Coleridge.
That is indeed the Queen of Amherst MA, happily adrift in her own world - her own little mecca of 1800 poems. What a marvellous poet!
She was a quiet, wonderful genius. I have also heard her referred to as the Belle of Amherst.
"A heap of tethered nonsense"--an extraordinary line.
Thank you man... You know there is nothing better than when someone you respect understands what you are trying to express ... So appreciate