Tuesday, April 10, 2018

" Island Tour"

Morris Island,SC
Island Tour

A pair of dolphins arch the water beside our boat
as cord grass gently waves and wax myrtle, yaupon,
and red cedar hail from afar.

Low tide invites us ashore; tour guide shares
civil war era ink jar, union button,
and pieces of old Indian pottery found inland a bit.
Gives my son a shark tooth.

Morris Island lighthouse stands proud and tall
yet dark, stranded off shore
as many an island's known to be fickle,
shifting and moving as they see fit.

We find a perfect sand dollar, but I'm awed
by skeletal remains of a diamond back terrapin
and seabirds partially covered as if gently put to rest,
yet imagine violence was involved -

of which these sands are not foreign,
for back in 1863 Fort Wagner proudly stood,
repulsed two union attacks.  I almost hear them,
imagine the soldier whose eagle embossed button I earlier held..

The wind lifts our sweaters, sun is setting,
realize it's time for wind and water
to rearrange this sandy surface once again,
wash her clean come high tide, depositing
or exposing new treasures for tomorrow's guests.

Motor back to marina where herring gulls
and egrets perch upon pillars eyeing fisherman
as they pull up dockside and we alight,
having enjoyed our trip through low country's waterways.

by Margaret Bednar's April 9m 2018

Diamond Back Terrapin skeleton
This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - The Tuesday Platform"

Morris Island (next to Folley Beach) is practically a stone's throw away from Fort Sumter (in Charleston Harbor) where the Civil War began.  Fort Wagner resided on Morris Island and the movie Glory is about a Civil War Battle that took place at the fort and Morris Island.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/gvhs01.vhs00055/  I think this link will show you a map of Charleston Harbor - Ft. Wagner on the left, Ft. Sumter dead center with Charleston at the top.  Fort Moultrie is (right) on the island we vacationed on - Sullivan's and Isle of Palm.

and also NaPoWriMo - National Poetry Month (30 Poems in 30 Days)

16 comments:

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

This history – and geography – is unknown to me. It was nice to come exploring with you.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

It must have been so thrilling to learn about the history and geographical significance of this place, Margaret!💞 Beautifully executed.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Very interesting and informative. Thanks, Margaret. Enjoy your holiday!

Anonymous said...

a remarkable poem - not just the visual exteriors but the way you led the reader in your footsteps, feeling each impression left by history and detritus - and then the inevitable departure
"realize it's time for wind and water
to rearrange this sandy surface once again,"
p.s. will look up this history now too

annell4 said...

Love this, again reminds me of home.

Ellecee said...

I enjoyed taking this trip with you and learning some history along the way. Thank you for sharing this, the feeling of being there is made rich from your imagery. :-)

Carrie Van Horn said...

A lovely journey shared. This is lovely Margaret!

hyperCRYPTICal said...

What a wonderful journey you shared with us Margaret. Thank you!
Anna :o]

M. A. S. said...

I was really struck by the visuals you created with animals, and animal remains. It works very well with the Civil War theme.

Gillena Cox said...

Thank you for taking us along through poetry Margaret

Much🌼love

Thotpurge said...

That's a tour I'd love to take as well!!!!

Neeraj Khanka said...

A lovely trip....a boat ride is always a delight.. :)

Kerry O'Connor said...

I feel like you have shared your wonderful experiences with us all through your poetry and photography - it's been a pleasure for me to indulge in each poem.

Magaly Guerrero said...

So many treasures...

And I'm with Kerry, it feels like a tour we get to experience. You are so good at that.

Rommy said...

This reminds me of some of the beaches I visit when I go up to Maine sometimes. The sand dollars, the history... I can practically smell the salt air in this.

Unknown said...

thank you for visiting my sister's poem. She said she tried to comment on your poem but it didn't work. Sorry but she's brand new at blogging.

I love this poem. It sounds like a perfect day. It brought back memories of my own visits to the sea, sand dollars and lighthouses; watching dolphins. Thank you.
Mary (Wilds of Idaho)