my ocean is sky and you
are the mountain
water baby
fire girl
the way we fight until
you’ve boiled and i
am smoke and whisper
but that is never
the whole story
this lake is girdled
by fire
warming your center
scorching your shore
and there are times i need
to cool my toes
even as my fingers ruffle
the surface of your silence
we are held together by need
i may rage and you may rise
until we cancel each other out
build a dam and i
will burn you
cross the river
and smother my pride
a forest is built
on ancient couplings
there is no fresh start
blank slate
empty hollow
these seeds were sown
long before we came scrambling
to the surface
birthing tomorrows
blaring tenacity
twins of manifest survival
fueled by oxygen
and undertow
.
.
.
.
October 15th, 2013 at 8:33 am
you need that oxygen for the undertow. survival twin for sure.
October 15th, 2013 at 11:51 am
oh i love it…what a wonderful metaphor…some relations can be just like that… highly explosive at times and yet…
October 15th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
A great poem, love it!
October 15th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
I like the ways you demonstrate the mutual necessity.
October 15th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
a forest built on ancient couplings…smiles…i like that…and the contrasts through the whole piece in fire and water and how it interacts and how we interact…and how our differences often make us whole….smiles…
October 15th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
You had me hooked at the title, Mrs. M–a wordsmith’s delight this piece, with sharp edges, deep pits, darkness, light, and love; albeit tough.
October 15th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Lovely writing! Exceptional images.
October 15th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
each reading uncovers another layer. so well done ~ m
October 15th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Kelly.. this is enchanting writing – such intriguing imagery and metaphors, and a lovely rhythm — still that tension… I love this.
October 15th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
An intriguing write… Loved it. The changing behaviors and coming out to cancel each other- interesting.
-HA
October 15th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Holy cow Kelly, I just love this. One of my all time favorites.
October 15th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
This poem has breath, life, and energy. I love how you illustrate the clash and mutual need. Fine, fine poetry, as ever.
October 15th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Very purposful writing and interweaving of images. >KB
October 15th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Excellent use of metaphor – sustained brilliantly and summed up with precision. Fire and water made for an earth-moving poem. Fabulous!
October 15th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
So much emotion going on in this beautiful poem. It makes me think of relationships that are too hard to work through. I feel if it’s too hard, it may not be right. Great stuff!
October 15th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
gorgeous, beautifully written – i keep scrolling up to read again
October 15th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Absolutely delicious. What a wonderful and energetic relationship you describe.
October 15th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
..even though the two are different in many ways..they need each other…
October 15th, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Beautiful use of metaphor ~ The ending gave it full circle ~ A gem to read ~
twins of manifest survival
fueled by oxygen
and undertow
October 15th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
One without the other and all goes to pot, indeed
October 15th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
I really liked this! Nature poetry is almost a lost art nowadays, at least in my world. 🙂
October 15th, 2013 at 11:09 pm
I love it when I get to the final set and they are strong enough to fire me straight back to the top for another read thru and then the loop works over, enough to get inside the eye of the piece and REALLY feel its juice and stone cold power!
so no surprises then that these are my faves –
twins of manifest survival
fueled by oxygen
and undertow
🙂
October 16th, 2013 at 3:30 am
This is a brilliant write! I love the whole thing minus one word. I don’t think you need the word “out” after “cancel each other.” But it’s a great poem either way.
October 16th, 2013 at 8:41 am
Great metaphor….. “The lake girdled by fire” that’s my favourite line…. Wonderful and brilliant piece.
October 16th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Has an elemental fell to it that I liked quite a bit, as well as keen insight into the nature of relationships.
October 16th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Amazing! So well done.