by Bill Yarrow
“In sequent toil,” my father was quoting
Shakespeare, “all forwards do contend,”
but I wasn't listening; I was staring
at the waves, all green and gooey, all
pommes frites, ruinous, insolent, half
fractal, sawing like insolvency, Swedishly
benevolent and Irishly violent, in whose
reflection I saw deciduous shellfish
nibbling a fragrant net; fit minnows
winnowing a wave; sunfish at worship,
contiguously religious. “I'm talking to you
about your future!” he was saying.
Me? I was wondering about the smug land,
the politics of weather, the insurgent sea.
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A version of this poem appeared on December 13, 2010, in Everyday Genius, guest edited by ChloƩ Cooper Jones.
The poem appears in Pointed Sentences (BlazeVOX, 2012).
What a great read to start the day, Bill. One of those perfect marriages of form and content that begets delight.
Not to hog the comments, Bill, but I loved the word play in this, something like "insolent" and "insolvency" in the next line, which goes deeper than play in suggesting a connection between the two( In the father's mind the insolent are doomed to insolvency.) And that aint the half of it. This is some poem.
Nice music: "reflection I saw deciduous shellfish / nibbling a fragrant net; fit minnows"
Enjoyed the piece.
So fine, Bill. The language again nails the meaning, "sawing like insolvency." And an ethnic blur of common sense. *
Deep, thought-provoking, delightful in the word play, wonderful in the setting of father-son discussion/relationship. Musical and layered.*
I agree with what others have said--the word play in this exceptional. Nice, Bill!
waves, all green and gooey, sunfish at worship, insurgent sea? oh yes! *
Form following function here, Bill. The lines wave as does the conversation and the connection. Nice work. *
The intersection between two different minds at different stages of life: one being practical and logical, the other visionary and inspirational. Your choice of words, phrases, and images makes their differences appear crystal clear.
Awesome little sonnet, Bill, with surprising and powerful diction throughout. Evidence of a consummate craftsman. *
"Me? I was wondering about the smug land,
the politics of weather, the insurgent sea."
Nothing changes. Could have been Alexander and Philip at the Aegean seashore, me and my Dad on the Chesapeake.
Great poem, well formed.
Very good poem Bill, I like where it carries the reader
*
You should have a poem in a pub. with "genius" in the name. I love the density and complexity of the word play here. Great stuff. ***
Love the word play as well, Swedishly
benevolent and Irishly violent. Great poem!
Like this line: "I was wondering about the smug land,
the politics of weather, the insurgent sea."
seeing visions in those waves ----thats for me.
"the smug land..." Bill, you never disappoint. *
Geez! I really don't know what to say...this is so good. I love the description of the waves...so, so good. *
And the son, maybe without realizing it, was looking at his future. Gorgeous language.
Excellent. Reminds me of Dylan Thomas..."I saw deciduous shellfish
nibbling a fragrant net"; that is pure golden honey there my friend.
Bill, your poetry continues to inspire and amaze me. This this one is so tight, so concise!
Swedishly
benevolent and Irishly violent
this just does it for me
masterful, Bill :)
*
such rhythm--yes, waves! love it. *
What they said. "Fit minnows winnowing a wave." Jeez.*
lovely sonnet bill-pommes frites, ruinous, insolent, half
fractal, sawing like insolvency, Swedishly
benevolent and Irishly violent
my, yes
*
Such a pleasure to read this one, Bill. Love the word choices.
smug land,
the politics of weather, the insurgent sea.
lovely.
bobbi
not sure how i missed this the first time through, but i did, and now i am reading thrice and more, the gooey waves, the smug land, the deciduous shellfish. love this one, bill. peace *