Monday, January 5, 2009

Blue Alice

absurdity of trying
to grip a fish
with needle fins
as it flaps gills
gulps choking air

hook mouth
to a memory
silence swells
to a freak wave
a wall of water

the smallness
of a body sucked
ten metres under
water beneath
a ledge of rock

12 comments:

bruce dorlova said...

"water. Water everywhere
and all the boards did shrink

water. water Everywhere

and not
a drop
to drink"

Anonymous said...

This is so tight Amanda. I love the rhythm that is created here. The urgency really heightened. And always, the sensorious sound of the sea...

G

Michelle said...

I love this, Amanda.

And a wonderful title!

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

If there's such a thing as a perfect poem, this must come close!

I love the understatement, and the quiet inevitability of the shocking conclusion.

Joy Leftow said...

hopeless for that fish isn't it. glad I'm not him.

corny said...

Read a few ....
like a lot....
Roger.

Anonymous said...

Incredibly vivid imagery here. It's been a pleasure discovering your writing. See you again soon. Cheers.

Anonymous said...

The last stanza is beautiful, but chilling.

M. A. S. said...

I just happened upon your blog and I find this poem especially delightful. It has fantastic imagery and a narrative quality to it.

BOLD MONKEY REVIEW said...

I'm impressed with your use of understated but highly vivid imagery.

Ed Smallwood said...

reminds of childhood for some reason

Melanie said...

This is really great. You got me with "absurdity of trying/to grip a fish"