Wolf Fish

Cherry
Poem of the week

By Philip Sidney

Thu, 09 Apr 2015
  • 4423 reads
21 comments
 

Behind the seal museum

between wall and sea

on the rough shale margins

lay a heap of broken things.

A dented car, windows smashed, resting on wooden pallets

like an exhibit from the gallery of modern art

gleaming dragonfly green-blue

in the chill sunshine.

Pieces of faded orange rope

tangled with wire, nylon, fishing line.

Rusted chains, coiled like sea eels.

All had a certain unnatural beauty

too synthetic to create the miasma

which hung over this found art.

Wolf fish, or what was left of them,

hung from twine, nailed to a wall.

Their fleshless spines dangled limply

ragged tails held a dim memory

of self-propulsion, fluid strength through

dark currents, fading as they flapped

in the gusting air.

Their heads were still impressive

powerful  jaws and teeth

that might crush a rock

had they life to will it.

Human-like molars

seemed to smile

in the brittle light.

Certificate 12
Poem

Comments

Submitted by torscot on

I liked this, a very visual scene I thought

There is a beauty in flotsam and jettsion that's to found on our beaches,but also a blight if left to drift off elsewhere.

I collect bits and pieces, but that's another story.

Regards

torscot

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Torscot, I like 'junk'. smiley

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Enjoyed this a lot Philip. The image of once predatory fish hanging amongst orange rope, rusting chains, and the detrius of a faded seaside town is a powerful one.  (Line 15: Should this be "Wolf fish, or what was left of them..." ?)

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Kilb50, I think you're right, I'll add wolf! Thanks for reading and being positive. :)

Submitted by EB on

Sharp and as has been said, very visual. 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks EB. :)

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Enjoyed the musings on the scene. Is this from Iceland again? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Rhiannon.  Yes it is!  I'm writing it before I forget the details. :)

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Loved this, Philip, so very atmospheric, and I love 'junk' too.  Have just spent the afternoon clearing out an old barn, and although I'm tired, I feel good because although I found much to skip, I also rediscovered some little gems, including two hula hoops belonged to  my kids.  Couldn't bear to part with them, so they're hanging on the wall in there now...a reminder of happy, bygone days.

Wonderful writing, Philip, as ever.

Tina

 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Tina, that's my sort of afternoon. :)  So pleased you liked my poem.

Submitted by VeraClark on

You could make an exhibition of these, Philip. Your Iceland set is outstanding. Have you considered submitting to Mslexia Pamphlet Comp this year? If you collate them, polish them up, you'd make the summer submission date. Just a thought.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Vera, that's a great suggestion!  Not tried anything like that before but this seems to be growing into a small collection.  I'll look it up. :)

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Helen

I agree, your collection from Iceland is exceptional, and well worth sharing in a broader sense.

This is a lovely poem - setting out the scene just as it was, and how you reacted to it.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks for the encouragement Jean!  smiley

Submitted by celticman on

nicely done, I like the human smile. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

laugh

Submitted by Steve on

I like the coupled words, "chill sunshine" which does not really feel like an oxymoron. The poem feels very modern, all the things that are left, broken, and ignored.

 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Steve.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much for the pick!  Very happy. laugh

Submitted by love_writing on

Really enjoyed reading this PS, creates a beautiful scene of hidden, broken things- the things that make life interesting! :) 

love_writing

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you love_writing. :)