Longing
My rhododendron leaves curl in upon themselves,
frosted with light snow; count the days 'till beachside.
For now, the taste of Myrtle honey
flavors my tongue; thank the industrious bees
that gather nectar from salt marsh shrubs -
horizontal thickets joined by Holly, Bayberry and Elder.
They lean and give to ocean winds, salty spray, and burning sun;
a harsh existence I won't acknowledge until summer.
I will also miss spring blooms beneath the Oak, Sweet Gum,
and Sassafras; witness not white innocence, lavender toadflax,
violet bull thistle, and green life everlasting.
Instead, I will ponder coast’s blue, shimmering surface come June,
above soda straw worms, knobbed whelks, moon snails,
and lettered olives. A few will be tossed with the tide
upon the sand, collected along with angle wings, heart cockles,
small colored clams, and the rare chipped sand dollar
and sea star.
But for now, I wrap my sweater snuggly about my shoulders
and sigh, honeyed myrtle warming my tongue.
by Margaret Bednar, January 22, 2020
This is linked with "Poets and Storytellers United - Weekly Scribblings #3 - Salt-water poems"
10 comments:
Lovely nostalgia! And a different experience of seaside than what I’m used to here.
Goodness this is brimming with breathtaking imagery, Margaret!💝 Especially adore; "A few will be tossed with the tide upon the sand, collected along with angle wings, heart cockles, small colored clams, and the rare chipped sand dollar and sea star." Thank you so much for writing to the prompt!💝
I seem to hear a longing for green inland and lush Springtime. Nonetheless, your word picture of the seaside was compelling. I loved it!
Oh, what a beautiful poem to read Margaret, it was an absolute delight.
I love the opening, with the rhododendron leaves curling in upon themselves, frosted with light snow, which drew me into the poem, Margaret. You painted the scene so delicately in the lines:
‘…thank the industrious bees
that gather nectar from salt marsh shrubs -
horizontal thickets joined by Holly, Bayberry and Elder.
They lean and give to ocean winds, salty spray, and burning sun’#
and
‘…coast’s blue, shimmering surface come June,
above soda straw worms, knobbed whelks, moon snails,
and lettered olives’.
I love your nostalgic musings. You brought everything to life- by just describing them in this amazing way.
Myrtle honey sounds sublime! i am sure the Spring is just around the corner.
And all along I was thinking that East Coast folk didn't know of the meaner winter chills mourns. You did well, my favorite was "June ... above soda straw worms." Absolutely above understanding, as is snow in Houston.
..
I can feel the nostalgic love of the place you are leaving, along with the excitement of new shores ahead to explore.......glorious imagery in this poem.
I love soda straw worms, knobbed whelks, moon snails,
and lettered olives. I too long for beachside but as has been said, if winter weren't as deep summer wouldn't be as sweet.
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