Today we move into new waters with The One, picking up with Song 12, Memorial Day. Previously published episodes of The One did not include complete versions of Song 12, so we begin from scratch with today's episode.
THIRD MOVEMENT
REMEMBERING
SONG TWELVE
MEMORIAL DAY
I
The sound is a cracking of long bones
as the black hull shudders and splits against the ice
The green sea essence rushes like blood through ripped flesh
Far above on deck
I hear the splintering impact
I feel the wrench and tear as the ice drags and cuts
a widening wound in the black-timbered hide
It seems only a matter of time
until the relentless sea
engulfs and drowns my ship with green-frothing force
pouring into the womb-like hold
Only a matter of time
to bring her down down and deep
until darkness quenches her masthead light
Yet, with all the seizures, crackings and booms
I am oddly calm as I watch the brilliant raging waves
relentless rolling and I am grateful for their converging.
As the sinking deepens, an island passes slowly to port
and for a moment there is shelter from the leeward wind
but just as soon, that stable ground passes to stern
and freezing gale is again full on my black-hulled ship
This slow-sinking sail stretches beyond possibility
as if my ship and the sea
embrace on the brink of ending
lingering over departure not death
as if the sea cannot bear to bring her down
and the ship herself unable to vision an end
Such strength and tender awareness here of departure as return and the mutual affection of ship and sea. Such a profound achievement - that blurring union. That becoming One with it all.
ReplyDeleteThis reader full of affection for that beautiful ship, as well.
What a beautifully-written moving piece, Catherine.
ReplyDelete