Sunday 12 April 2015

Floating


There is a place in the forever-now
Where boundless water, invisible light
Suspends an object on the deep
Once moved but never moored

Five islands branching into view
Earth playful enough to disclose?
Or turrets raised, to ward off ships?
Slain beast in crimson repose?
A slab of fat
A wall, an end, a screen
A maker, a language, a holder, a clap
Events divinely obscene

I watch the shape,
I count the waves
On idle days I see it flit
Just twitches of perspective though
And yes I can admit,
I’ve shouted once or twice with vain hopes of reply
I’ve even asked its name before
And then with laugher cry
I cannot know you, that fact is clear
No reflection of mine to disturb
I am an idea of something else
A noun slung next to a verb

To reach, to clasp, to tumble
Is this the right word?


Painting by Maiko Goshima