Monday 18 January 2021

BY THE SHORE


It takes a long time.
I wander for hours, years, miles
through countries, continents.
Sometimes there is water,
sometimes sand.
I return to these, and finally
make my stand.

I am five. I am seven.
In the water, by the shore;
I hold a twig up, brandished sword.
Later, in the quiet play,
away from salt sea spray
and the camera recording our day,
I find myself alone - 
‘a prettyish sort of wilderness’
as Austen will describe it, later.
Everything, later, to come.

For now, crouched on brackish sand,
barefoot in shorts, planting
and uprooting joy.

© Shaista Tayabali, 2021
(recited at DVerse Poets Open Link night)

It's the new year, I think... although my Christmas tree is still up with all the little mice and the twinkling lights. I am redoing the six week yoga course I did at the end of last year, just so that my body doesn't forget how to move. Bed, which was always the most comfortable spot in the house, is an even more huggable place than ever. Especially in winter, under a cosy duvet, looking out at the bare limbs of our willow. There was a time when Mum was tempted to have it cut because the roots are tearing up the courtyard, but I am so glad no decision was made. It would have been lonely without the willow keeping me company. I attended a poetry and trauma workshop this weekend and after leading us through a visualisation meditation, the writing prompt was to remember a happy place and write about it... this is the memory that returned after much wandering through my mind... 

18 comments:

perveenart said...

Beautiful and evocative. Love it.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Such a lovely reverie. I love the photo of you three happy vibrant kiddos. "Planting and uprooting joy." Gorgeous. This is moving week. I will be offline for several days from Saturday on, till they come to hook me up, so dont worry.

Kriti said...

I love that there's a photo too! The lovely, lively poem creates quite a visual, and the photograph dialogues with it. I don't think I would have pictured the scene quite like that, and I enjoy how the real and the imagined confront each other...

Helen said...

Your performance today was incredibly lovely ... image and words!

JadeLi said...

Shaista, just wanted to let you know when I clicked on the link in Mr. Linky it didn't bring me to your poem. I put your blog address in my browser to get here.

It was very nice to see you at the live pub tonight and to hear your read your poem. It's good to look at the image to go with it, as it gives further context to the poem.

Mrityunjay Dixit said...

SO amazing. You weave your words wonderfully!

Ron. Lavalette said...

I really needed some of that sunsand right now, even if it's yours, not truly mine, and I thank you for sharing the poetry, the photo, and your fine live presentation. My hat is off.

Ingrid said...

I'm so glad you found your happy place and shared it with us...it was beautiful to hear!

Shaista said...

Hi Jade, I’ve put my link in again, just in case, but I don’t think anyone else encountered the problem you did? Anyway, I’m glad you found me!

Shaista said...

Thank you Helen, I was glad to be there, connecting across our worlds x

Shaista said...

Now I’m curious as to how you pictured the scene? Although there are really two scenes I am writing about... one that isn’t pictured was my quiet time on the scrubby sand... I wonder what your happy place would look like in a poem?

Shaista said...

Thank you Ingrid, your poems are always wonderful too xx

Shaista said...

Was happy to be able to join in last night and share from across the miles... You’d have to keep your hat on if you were here because it is a cold January!!

indybev said...

A lovely memory, beautifully rendered.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

This is incredibly stunning, Shaista! I love the way you have evoked those memories with simple but elegant use of language. Moreover, when you read your poems out loud, I must tell you, you look absolutely beautiful!! Mashallah 💝💝 Especially love; "‘a prettyish sort of wilderness’ as Austen will describe it, later. Everything, later, to come." Thank you so much for joining in at the LIVE Event.

Ali said...

Planting and uprooting joy. Your journey of many places.
I am sorry to have missed your reading. Hopefully next month.

Kim M. Russell said...

I enjoyed your reading at OLN Live, Shaista, and the wander through your mind’s album of memories. The photograph complements the joy of childhood you portray in the poem.

Jason said...

The second stanza, WoW! "I find myself alone...everything later to come" -- no filling in the blank necessary, indeed, better left unsaid. Thank you for sharing this beautiful write. /peace, Jason

Click to leave a comment