Caroline Clark

To the Sea and

two other poems

To the Sea

Where there is quiet

in the land

a season’s breath

where you walk

through the fields

the river plains

where you’re at the flat

of the valley

this is how you feel

where you can come

to a stop

the stretch of who you are

where you can look out

to the lights

motion and decision

where you watch

the waves foam

stone upon stone

a heart to make sense

a head to remember.

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Phrases

Can I be with you

while you read this

don’t look up or

say anything.

*

Never known, never

wanted to know, now

have this knowledge

imposed on you like

a cap you never knew

you owned.

*

Dark diamonds

of the night sky

you once looked up

and felt the future years

an unbound mystery

*

From the inside I can

lean out into the world

taking the bridge

from me to you

*

The word is dialogic

though you speak alone

and finally after years

of trying I’m getting

one in of my own.

​

Mothers

Upon their gaze

hooked or soothing

as a late curl

of honeysuckle.

Upon their touch

rough or suddenly

gentle—they’ll

wait for you yet.

Upon their smell

chemically yours.

Now breathe a little

deeper, hold it, good.

Upon their hearing

all tones you issue

pain, lies, ear-

splitting lullaby.

Upon their need

violent, discreet.

First to rear its head.

First to be fed.