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Afternoon Tea With A Loon
by JD Clay
I stepped off the end of the dock,
untied the bow line and shoved out into the lingering fog,
steam rising from my cup,
tiny whirlpools trailing behind each pull of the oar.
Theres something soothing about a squeaky lock
when its the only creak besides your brittle bones.
Snake-grass lined the Back Bay
trapping the haze like a gray ghost in a tweed overcoat.
I pulled at the collar of my sweater, wrung my hands
and glided aimlessly into the still.
Sliding back onto a pile of faded cushions
I joined the spider in the bottom of the boat,
my legs bent over the seat, its web
laden with chromium dew.
The gloom served up a posthumous veil,
as distant calls echoed from the placid cove.
I paused to read the leaves in the bottom of my cup,
then closed my eyes slowly to reflect.
Again, a haunting call sounded over the shrouded lake.
Whistling back like a Pawnee Brave on a cedar flute,
I sent an acknowledgement clear and shrill,
mimicking the summons three times the same.
Closer came the report.
In a series of exchanges to my surprise,
the spotted loon took refuge on the starboard stern.
Its outstretched wings poised for a hasty retreat,
those reddish eyes surveying the resident spider and I.
Weaving its head side to side in a ceremonial dance,
I raised my cup to honor my newfound-feathered friend,
sharing shortbread and the rights of passage.
Rearing back, it signaled loudly into the cloak of day,
then repeated the call, harmonizing with its own echo.
With a final nod, as quickly as it came,
the majestic loon dove from the back of the boat,
disappearing into the underworld in search
of a better chamomile.
~ jadi ~
03/05/2003 Posted on 07/27/2003
Copyright © 2024 JD Clay
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 07/27/03 at 05:59 PM Intricate and lush detail. The words made the images very easy to be seen in my mind. To grow inwardly you went outward into nature. Profound and enlightening. Great read. |
| Posted by Alex Smyth on 07/27/03 at 06:56 PM The sound of the water splashing, the mist, the echo of the call, I felt and heard it all. Most excellent sensual poem! |
| Posted by Vimal Rony on 07/27/03 at 07:58 PM Well the images are all there in the poem.No need to do that with one's mind.There are photographic lines entwined with mirrors of the mind.Great Job,
JD. |
| Posted by David R Spellman on 07/28/03 at 12:59 PM I can't help but to be drawn into the visualization of the vivid peacefulness of this, as if a replay of similar experiences I've had. A superb account of one of those special moments in touch with the wonder of nature and of course ending in your own perfect style. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 07/28/03 at 04:41 PM Imagination and descriptiveness put to good use Monsieur Clay! |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 07/29/03 at 12:29 AM Wonderfully descriptive. I rode along with you. Feeling the mist, the soothing lapping of the water. What a magical moment to actually have the loon come to the boat (reality or imaginatively)! A MOST enjoyable read! |
| Posted by Rhodora M Fitzgerald on 07/29/03 at 11:26 AM Loons are facsinating! Lots of wonderful imagery here Jd! The smoothness of your words created a beautiful painting in my mind. Excellent read! |
| Posted by Graeme Fielden on 07/29/03 at 11:41 AM I tried to read this quickly at first...it didn't seem to work...so I came back to it when I had a little more time and quiet about me - I'm very glad that I did or else I would hve missed out on the experience of this image rich writing. I can almost taste the fog as I reflect upon it now... nice work Jadi :) |
| Posted by Britt Zimmerman on 07/30/03 at 03:48 AM JD you never cease to amaze me! If only I could wrap myself in your words like a blanket!!!! |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 08/01/03 at 03:13 AM Sounds like a perfect time. Good poem Jadi...Charlie |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 08/03/03 at 02:06 PM a lovely fog you entangle the eye in here, jadi and what better circumstance than to share shortbread and the rights of passage with mystery. |
| Posted by Thomas K. Hunt on 08/04/03 at 12:13 AM You had me as another passenger, thanks for the majestic ride...wonderful, simply wonderful |
| Posted by Stephanie Kent on 08/12/03 at 08:58 PM Such a beautiful, peaceful description...I can smell the salty sea and feel the cool breeze on my face...I just love the last stanza... |
| Posted by Don Coffman on 08/13/03 at 06:41 PM One of the best I've read, it really evokes the daydream of being there in that boat. And with all the other good comments here, I'll leave it at that. Wonderful poem. :) |
| Posted by Siri Lipscomb on 09/18/03 at 03:03 AM Your words are like the lens of a creative camera. You certainly carve beautiful imagery - this is just a recent example of your word wizardry. Loved it. Bill's Lake revisited for me -- thank you all over again... |
| Posted by Traci Mabats on 01/03/04 at 04:56 AM great imagery |
| Posted by Anne Howe on 04/27/04 at 10:29 PM a tale beautifully told .......an excellent read |
| Posted by Michelle Angelini on 07/02/06 at 01:28 AM What a peaceful idyll...you make me want a boat and a cup of tea, and to be near a lake. Loons are simply beautiful birds. I've never heard the cry of one.
~Chelle~ |
| Posted by A. Paige White on 01/10/08 at 04:46 PM Wish I'd had a cup of hot chamomile to steam my glasses as I read it....sigh... lovely indeed. |
| Posted by Alli Martel on 07/23/11 at 02:03 PM Beautiful. Just beautiful. |
| Posted by A. Reed on 10/16/11 at 02:42 AM "chromium dew" loved that. And now I want tea. |
| Posted by Carol Grant on 08/12/13 at 08:13 PM ;) |
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