Jan 2011
My ship sailed the quiet seas,
slowing in a coral reef.
The setting sun shown on the flitting fish.
I peered into the deep,
into the darkness. Then on the horizon,
water sprayed, a whale breached the surface.
I paused and took a breath.
The sun set each coral aflame.
Their light descended through the water
To a smooth shape, a fish: it swam
under each coral bridge, drifting
in the haven of the reef.
Vibrant, swift, comforted in its home,
taking in the light, reflecting
back its golden rays, the ******
of bliss, the burst of crimson
before darkness, a deep fire, the perfect
position, the enduring beauty, the sea at sunset.
slowing in a coral reef.
The setting sun shown on the flitting fish.
I peered into the deep,
into the darkness. Then on the horizon,
water sprayed, a whale breached the surface.
I paused and took a breath.
The sun set each coral aflame.
Their light descended through the water
To a smooth shape, a fish: it swam
under each coral bridge, drifting
in the haven of the reef.
Vibrant, swift, comforted in its home,
taking in the light, reflecting
back its golden rays, the ******
of bliss, the burst of crimson
before darkness, a deep fire, the perfect
position, the enduring beauty, the sea at sunset.
This poem is meant to imitate the poem “The Return” by William Heyen. I attempted to match his form almost exactly. The content is similar and both use first person voice. My poem also uses past tense verbs like the author. Finally, I noted that his poem used alliteration, which I tried to incorporate into this poem.
