*These Old Bones
February 23, 2011
LLyn De Danaan
With these old bones I cast a shallow net.
I draw no fishes in with my desire.
Yet there were some I caught with perfect set
whose sleek and lissome flesh I would devour.
Let fish be fish and piddle on their way
Let old bones drift and spin another day
Let shadows of regret all drift away.
I saw a mermaid once upon the sea
I drew my barque up near beside her perch
We laughed and danced together on the lee
A false protection for our hours of mirth
My heart strode nimbly through her flowing hair
It galloped gladly far into her lair
I cantered on until I was ensnared.
But wanton play must end with grudging grin
A lapse, harsh word, or sepulchral neglect
A quick and loose regard for skin on skin
Transmorgrified relation: disrespect
So these old bones are happy with canned fish
A dab of mayonnaise satisfies each wish
A caper here and there makes a fine dish.
*Based on and Inspired by a Study of Theodore Roethke