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he knows nothing of Mermaids
or their sister’s song; believes
that the salt of the ocean is a result
. . . . . . . . . of mineral deposits.
He spends his days delivering boxes
for pay. Up and down wriggly roads
in a blue Miata, stuffed with packages.
. . . . . . . . . Sometimes people give
him tea, talk with him about the weather
or the neighbor who never says hello.
Some nights he wakes, thinks that he can

hear his name in the whisper of the shoal.
In these dark moments, he locks shut
the window and falls back to sleep,
safe in his bed.





*some people believe that the salt in the ocean has something to due with erupting volcanoes and
evaporation, others know that it is simply from the tears of mermaids weeping for their lost lover.

Thank you, Cate. It is a lovely poem. Some of us will start wishing to be that man! I find that sleeping near the sea brings a special quality to some dreams.

I like the verse construction too. That is artful and delicate of you.

Good wishes, Richard

His bed is his altar
but the ocean understands

To me, this is a practical man, not a dreamer. He doesn't allow himself to be seduced by the magical mysterious lure of the sea. Only when he wakes in the middle of the night, is his imagination be vulnerable to the sea's persuasion. He shuts it out before it can breach his defences.

I keep coming back to your poem Cate; I find it quite haunting. I am reminded of the beautiful animated film— Ponyo, for children - of all ages

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/ponyo

(don't be deterred by Disney, they bought the rights after the film was made...)

Imaginary, the bloke doesn't take risks. That's his problem. Predictable is good, is safe. The way he shuts his window, the way he shuts out Life.

Once again a ripper of a poem, Cate. Full to the brim.

Thank you

rmorgan wrote: I like the verse construction too. That is artful and delicate of you.

Thank you Richard! I'm very pleased that you liked the construction.

Thank you Adam, I have a great respect for your writing as well as you, so I'm always pleased when something of mine speaks to you.

! I liked Ponyo too Imaginary, we went to see it a couple of times in the theatre. I’m a very big fan of Hayao Miyazaki and his often collaborator Isao Takahata .. when the children were very little, Totoro and Kiki were played over and over, and as they got older we added more and more of their films.

This may be my all time favourite movie - I've probably watched it 50 times Totoro

I would like to know this Man's name. Can you be more Pacific please.

Can you be more Pacific please.

baha

His name is 'he' of course.