Neruda in the Rain

I am lunching at a window

overlooking rainy Murwillumbah,

reading a book about young Pablo Neruda

writing poetry to the tune of the rain.

He loved the sound of the rain, we are told,

even while hating the rain. I too

am not enamoured of the bleak wet

but find strange comfort in the rhythmic sounds.

But I don't want to be Neruda,

even as I envy his words their liquid music.

I want to be me, living where I am, in my life 

that has been as rich as his in love.

Almost as rich as his in travel, art,

engagement; probably even richer
in its plethora of dear, true friends. I love to be 

me, reading about Neruda, and reading Neruda.


Submitted for The Tuesday Platform June 13 2017 at 'imaginary garden with real toads'.

Also linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #360.

Ode to the Remora

I love the idea

of this ray-finned

sucking fish,

its oval dorsal fin

with slat-like

structures

to take firm hold

against the skin

of larger mammals.

They attach

to some poor wretch

of shark or whale,

turtle or dugong

or mantua ray.

Holding tight,

they look like

little silver ripples

on its hide.

That is,

they hitch a ride.

I guess it’s faster,

even though

they swim well

on their own

with sinuous

or curved

motion.

Many but small,

they travel together,

feeding on what

the host drops.

Some hide

in the great casket

of the host’s mouth

scavenging

leftovers.

Sometimes

the host

eats them!

It’s a life

lazy but

dangerous,

prone to

sudden

eclipse.

Poetic Asides November Poem A Day Chapbook Challenge: day 22, use at least three of these words ( used four):

·       ideogram

·       remora

·       casket

·       eclipse

·       selfie

·       wretch

Many of the phrases used were found in the Wikipedia article; some quoted verbatim.
      

Also submitted for dVerse Form For All: an ode in the style of Neruda, i.e. short lines, concrete images, real-life objects. They’re supposed to celebrate the ordinary; I departed somewhat from that!