Precarious
I walk along the shore, stop, slowly scan moist sand,
am delighted with little islands of water surrounding rocks,
shells, an occasional dying jellyfish.
Remember my excitement at finding three scotch bonnets
last spring. Today I've a small bucket with moon snails;
the Atlantic's gift to me this spring morn.
I sift through them knowing beauty often belies nature,
and these little emperors of the sea swaggered blue bicorn hats and swords,
drilled holes in prey and consumed.
My eyes follow the pull of the tide, over the surf, to the lull
of peaceful blues and greens; know dolphins are giving birth
and Loggerhead sea turtles are nesting.
Mothers and new life. Marvel at the delicate balance;
how some will protect, others will allow stars to guide
and nature to provide and predict baby's fate.
Danger lurks throughout the deep, and many, so young,
will perish and others, through chance or fate, will thrive
beneath turquoise waters where I stand at tide's edge and wonder.
by Margaret Bednar, June 6, 2019
This is linked with "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Guest Appearance with Ella Wilson - Tarot Cards" I hope I followed the directions "Your Interpretation does not have to follow the traditional reading of tarot, may be as magical as your own imagination." Obviously, I used them as inspiration for my feelings along the shore. The deck I chose looked like it had a moon snail (or shark eye) shell on top of it - I have collected a few of these. The overall feeling I got from the tarots was "perilous" or "precarious" - a bit of soldier, protection, danger - but a feeling of fragility as well...
