Well, then, the last day the sharks appeared.
Dark fins appear, innocent
as if in fair warning. The sea becomes
sinister, are they everywhere?
I tell you, they break six feet of water.
Isn’t it the same sea, and won’t we
play in it any more?
I liked it clear and not
too calm, enough waves
to fly in on. For the first time
I dared to swim out of my depth.
It was sundown when they came, the time
when a sheen of copper stills the sea,
not dark enough for moonlight, clear enough
to see them easily. Dark
the sharp lift of the fins.
Great poem. Love especially ‘when a sheen of copper stills the sea…dark the sharp lift of the fins’. You can feel the hidden menace in those words.
Yes. I thought it was time to add a little darkness to the offerings.
Got to know of Denise Levertov many years ago in a poetry class. Fabulous poet who I think has been a definitive nudge factor in my later drift towards writing verse. Thanks for sharing.
It’s always interesting to go back and reread things with fresh eyes. With good writing there’s always something new to discover.
absolutely.
Reblogged this on Leonard Durso.
Sharks are one of the few animals that I’m really scared of. Good poem, has the right mood.
Glad you like it.