Monday, February 3, 2014

"Wracking"


Wracking

Riding rolling waves over pirate ships, war,
graves of loved ones bound for Charleston
and destinations unknown -

a whelk, knobbed and streaked, 
laid to rest gently upon sand freshly piled high
amongst seagrass and vine.

What secrets have you seen, of history,
of mystery that swirls and churns about
treacherous Diamond Shoals?

Many lie neglected, battered, shattered 
beneath our feet, fragments further crushed,
pulled back into ocean's broiling waves.

Lone survivor, we basket you, wash, bleach, 
brush, oil, shine, place you upon a shelf - "collected" -
open many a book, search for what you can't say.

Margaret Bednar, February 3, 2014


This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Open Link Monday".  Wracking is the "age old profession" of scavenging the beach.  We enjoyed two "winter" weekends on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island and found a lot of shells - but the shell found here was the only "perfect" large one we found.  We feel really lucky.  

The top image is also linked with "I Heart Macro - week #38"



Below is exactly how and where we found it on Hatteras Island, perched gently upon a sand dune amongst sea grass:


18 comments:

Susan said...

Love. You tell the tale of the shells I collected and the beaches and shoals I took them from. I love the mystery and romance, the sense that each was inhabited with life.

Kathryn Dyche said...

What a beautiful shell, you were meant to find it and look what it inspired. :)

Fireblossom said...

I adore that closing line. Shells have such a natural mystery to them, don't they? They are a natural subject for poetry.

Maude Lynn said...

That close is just stunning.

betty-NZ said...

What a perfect place in the sand to find such beauty. Lovely macro.

Susie Clevenger said...

What a beautiful sea shell, you spoke so well its journey..so creative to share where and what it might have seen

Anonymous said...

lovely shell and pen, Margaret ~

kissed by an angel said...

Such a wonderful poem and so a beautiful macro of the so lovely, grey coloured, mysterious sea shell!!!

Marian said...

gosh i just love "we basket you." that is so literal and so evocative, both. wonderful!

Jim said...

It's wonderful reading here today, Margaret. 'Save' them and put them on a shelf.

My post for Monday Toads also has items I have rescued. Only one merits a place on the shelf. The rest lay on the floor, have been for several years.

The next smaller I use for a doorstop.

Grace said...

I love the shells & words & pictures ~ These lone survivors have stories to tell ~

Grace said...

Wanted to tell you that Debbie A. passed away~

Anonymous said...

Hey Margaret--it looks like you had a great time--beautiful pics and internal pics in the head, reading. Thanks. k.

Laura said...

What a beauty you found… so much in this world is passed by, unnoticed. Thanks for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)

Anonymous said...

If only those shells could talk. How interesting their stories would be. Beautiful poem and photos.

Anonymous said...

Wrack on! Your poem has such a wonderful flow and melodic tone... Truly artful Margaret

Ginnie Hart said...

It's a new word for me, Margaret, and one I'll have to remember! I LOVE to wrack, especially now that I know what it means! :)

I think I would have died and gone to heaven on the spot if I had found a shell like that!

kaykuala said...

What a rare find! It is meant for you for if it is someone else it may not be appreciated. Great write and pics Marge!

Hank