I have thought on this shoreline
a thousand miles distant
wondering if my memory is false
a fever dream arising
from too few vitamins, or sunstroke
or being beaten senseless
by forty foot waves
or deafened into stupidity
by howling storms
the jewels, oh, the jewels
of sunlight reflecting
off mere glass windows
more priceless than pearls
for they are the portals to where you are
rainbow iridescence dancing
and reflecting a moonlight
I fancy we share, sometimes
something so mundane
as washing on a line
warms my yearning heart
shirt-tails waving in the breeze
skirts, dresses, a silk chemise
such a teasing prospect
for this man, yearning
yet fearing all will be grey
on my arrival
A child’s romper suit, really?
is it swinging in the zephyr
as my ship draws ever near?
I can almost touch the downy cheek
of the little mite who wears it
safe, warm at night
while I ride the waves
pitching and yawing
with my fellow men
salt spray stinging
bringing tears, such tears
to searching eyes
They call me Captain
but that is just my role
my soul, my heart
is anchored here
at this shoreline
where I am free
wife, I see you
wave, wave with all your might!
daughter, I am finally here
I cannot wait to hold you
for the first time
I am home
at last
Egon Schiele, Houses with Laundry (Suburb II) (1914)
Tonight at the dVerse Poets Pub, Melissa is our congenial host and she is inviting us to respond poetically to one of four of Egon Schiele’s paintings, with no restriction on poetic form. I love Schiele’s work and this particular painting captivated me with all the jewel-like washing hanging on the many lines, and the repetition of colours in the windows of the houses beyond the shore.
I immediately thought of the vantage point of the viewer, and wondered who they might be, other than Schiele the artist himself. As you can tell from my poem, I went on quite a journey with my imagined seafaring narrator!
If you would like to take part in ekphrastic imaginings, please do come and join us here at dVerse. Head on over to the post linked above, read about some of Schiele’s short history, his paintings and his legacy, write your poem and follow the instructions Melissa has kindly included.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Such an epic tale told in this poem Freya!! Loved the characterization and intrepretation and where it led you! Excellent! 💜
Thank you 🙂
Great piece full of emotional intensity of a sea captain’s long-awaited homecoming💜
Thank you!
This painting took you on a voyage, Freya, and I loved accompanying your captain on his return home. I too am a lover of Schiele’s work, and I was enamoured of this painting. I’ve seen his work up close in Vienna and London, but this one is part of a private collection – lucky owner! I love the voice of the speaker-captain, I could hear it distinctly, and these lines are especially gorgeous:
‘the jewels, oh, the jewels
of sunlight reflecting
off mere glass windows
…
‘rainbow iridescence dancing
and reflecting a moonlight’.
and
‘shirt-tails waving in the breeze
skirts, dresses, a silk chemise
such a teasing prospect’.
Definitely a lucky owner! I’m so glad you enjoyed my poem – I had so much fun writing it 🙂
My pleasure, Freya!
An epic journey into the imagination. Love that the captain is anchored to the shoreline where his heart resides with his family.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve never been a seafarer, so there’s a fair bit of poetic licence involved! 🙂
I enjoyed the journey of your seafaring narrator! When I began reading, I thought you were describing the painting of the harbor. I like that you used the picture of the laundry hanging on the line to tell a journey of coming home.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I didn’t think washing could be so inspiring to write about!
From “I have thought on this shoreline” to “the portals to where you are” to “such a teasing prospect” to “I am finally here” and all that completes those thoughts, your poem captures the desire of someone longing for home. Well done.
Thank you so much, Ken. I’m so glad my seafarer’s feelings came across.
aww, such longing. the words he utters to his wife and daughter are beautiful. Infact all of it is beautiful. Thanks for writing. Blessings.
Thank you so much, Selma!
I love the sweet little stories told by the clothes on the clothesline… and also I feel this is another version of Odysseus returning to Ithaca.
Thank you! Yes, it could be 🙂
What a wonderful feeling for a Captain at sea to be back with his family. Great narration of the other lovely episodes Freya!
Hank
Thank you so much!
A sweet homecoming. ☺
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I love the poetic flow and really captivating story – Jae
Thank you 🙂