March 25, 2013
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Phoebe Starling
Last - When have you seen the osprey spiral-spin for fish
Far above Monhegan's cliffs
The honeyed field of marsh below the stones of Cemetery Hill
The cathedral of the pine with its mechanical ants
The hands of Phoebe Starling?
Last - When have you seen the streaking shag
The sunning seal ledged to the running sea
And tumult in the northern night
The beached and broken bits of glass
The eyes of Phoebe Starling?
Last - When have you heard the gulls scream for discarded scran
Fog-blinded sheep bleat at the cadenced horn
The lyric of a buoy's bell song
The island wren lilt through moss rose
The voice of Phoebe Starling?
Last - When have you touched the bending widow-wail
The moss at night
The fragile synapta within the sand
The willowed maiden-hair
The hair of Phoebe Starling?
Last - When have you kissed the golden image in an oil-lit church
The hands of your forgotten mother
The cheek of some forgotten child
The fingertips of some forgotten love
The lips of Phoebe Starling?
Last - When have you loved within the hazes of the night
Loved within the stark stark day
Loved within the pulsing of the living island land
Touching the wisp of spider-spun and
Watching the berry tree ripen and
Listening to the throbbing sea and
Bending to kiss the granite graved with
"Here Lies Phebe* Starling
Aged 1 Mo.
Died March 4 - 1784"
Note:
Phoebe was the first white human being buried on Monhegan,
an island some twenty miles off the coast of Maine. Her name
is so endearing. Also there are indications Vikings visited the
island centuries before Columbus. *stet
Comments (13)
This is heart wrenching in its imagery and poignancy. I love coming here, and reading your beautiful poems. Thank you.
I sent a private message to you a couple of days back. I hope you will read it and respond to it. I have a poem ready to post along with that painting of yours.
Gravestones can be extremely poignant. The death of children used to be quite common. I saw one graveyard with a row of eight small stones, a series of babies that died shortly after birth, a year apart. I can only imagine what those parents felt.
@ZSA_MD - Thank you Dr Z for your kind remark... In refernce to your message, I did not receive it... Was it an email or by means of Xanga?... My email address is http://www.pmanos@roadrunner.com... I'm intrigued about your poem re: my painting...
@Roadkill_Spatula - Thank you for your kind response... The island of Monhegan boasts its spectacular appeal for painters going back to the 19th century... Some of the paintings are on my Xanga photo blog... I spent many happy days there after WW2 as I met a fellow in the hospital in Manila in 1945 whose family lived there since the 1700's... I went out in the summer of '46 for a quick visit and stayed for 4 months... He had a big house with five bedrooms and a wife and 2 kids and I rented one of the rooms for a pittance... He did not want the money but I insisted. and a couple of years later, my wife and I spent all summer on our honeymoon there... (came home with $60 in the bank between us)... It used to be great until National Geographic did a big spread on it in the '50s and the tourists started coming in droves...
Well crafted poem. I am glad to stumble upon it.
I think I read an earlier version of this - I love the repetition. So sad but also well done!
I sent my message to your via xanga. If you go to your weblog, and look for the messages on the left hand column, you probably have an alert stating that you have 1 message in your box. Click on that and you will be able to open my message. I will also send you an email on your address. Are you sure your email address has www in front of it? I will try sending you one without the www. Have a good night Mr. Manos.
Such beautiful resonance and story. Love the repetition and beauty of Phoebe Starling’s name. Nature’s serenity and turbulence are beautifully portrayed. Images of sea, sheep and mother’s love are so creatively connected. --Glad you found my poem life affirming as I’ve just gotten started enjoying your work.--Elaine
nice
I came over from Miss Zee's blog you really do a grand job
I too arrived here via Zakiah. Having spent a delightful half hour immersed in the poignancy of your observations and memories, I wish I could stay all day -- but the day job awaits. I'll be back.
Dear Mr. Manos,
I have written a poem about your painting titled "Moondog" and have tagged you, so you could perhaps stop by and read it. Blessings for a good day to you and yours.
Zakiah.
Dr. Z was correct. I like your poety and way with words.
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