This is the Way
Ghosts are the way we remember–
the salt cheese we ate
made of river fog and tears
on the beach where quahogs and oysters
opened mouths sparkling with seaweed miracles,
and we were full of longing—so much–
like the cyclops unbidden, unhidden, un-sniffed by
truffle pigs, one-eyed defeaters,
the eaters of snouts.
But we heard their songs,
pungent as cloves, flying
on owls’ wings, as
the artillery shot flowers above your head.
and made puddles at your feet,
and, you slid into their mercurial waves,
falling, falling,
now do you remember?
Today’s NaPoWriMo Prompt was to write a surrealistic poem inspired by words in the given list. We were asked to write questions about the words we chose, and then base a poems on the answers. I just used the words as a prompts for a surrealistic poem.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Merril, this is magical! 🦄
Thank you so much, Colleen! 😊
This is surrealistically beautiful, Merril. I like the painting too. 🙂
Thank you very much, Kitty! 😊
You are welcome, Merril. 🙂
“mouths sparkling with seaweed miracles,” and “truffle pigs, one-eyed defeaters,
the eaters of snouts”
My favorite parts.
Thank you so much! 😊
‘River fog’. Unmistakable Merril 🙂
Very surreal, like an improbable dream. And your quahogs are pigs too!
How could I not put those two words together? Haha.
I thought of them as giant clams, but they could be hogs, if you want. 😂
It would have been heresy if you didn’t 🙂
I’m fixated on pigs.
😂
Now that I’ve read the poem several times and reflected on it, I think it forms a coherent (albeit surrealistic) narrative, with the exception of the second line. I think my reading self is seeing a connection to River Ghosts that would come from “Ghosts are the way we remember–/made of river fog and tears,” before moving into the surreal as a variation on the river ghost theme. I love that the poem is direct address to a (presumed) lover. I think that’s what gives the poem its power.
Wow, Liz! I so appreciate that you went to all that trouble. I’m honored. I didn’t set out for it to mean anything, but obviously River Ghosts has deep meaning for me. And you’re right that probably the second line should go. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Merril! I’m glad you didn’t mind my thinking out loud.
Not at all, Liz. I appreciate it.
My river was full of longing too. I like the interplay between the image and the words. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
I think rivers are often full of longing.
I read it a couple of time and I have to say, I am rather in awe of Liz’ analysis. It was magical to me!
Thank you very much, Dale. I was in awe of Liz’s analysis, too!
Some people have a gift 😉
Indeed! 😊
This is impressive, Merril! The surreal images flow so seamlessly.😊
Thank you so much, Punam! 💙
You are welcome. 😊
One of your mesmerising poems
Thank you very much, Derrick.