1st Place - Quotation Inspiration 6/09 Narrative shape poem written in iambic meter. |
The Call of a Whale "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." -- Jacques Cousteau My name is Dylan, “Lover of the Sea.” Or so my mother hoped I’d always be. The palm fronds swayed the day that I was born. And sea gulls screeched their welcome from the shore. A family of simple needs raised me. Our livelihood was eked out from the sea. From babe to boy, my playground was the beach; Observant ocean never failed to teach. But I, unwilling student, would not hear and dreamed instead of arid west frontier. Two years of misery in desert quest; I searched for verve but found I was depressed. ‘Neath empty skies and cacti's harsh embrace, the ocean ebbed and pulled me from that place. Thalassic prodigy returned at last, at ocean’s edge I stood and viewed my past: I was the whale compelled to breathe fresh air, an orcan idealist lunged, unaware. In reckless flight I faced a basic fact. A whale lives under contract most exact. I’m from the sea and it’s a part of me; My salty tears were proof and guarantee. (22 Lines) Winner of the June 2009 round of:
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