I see an offshore rowboat
oars shipped, and seem to hear
a lap-tongued invitation
a whisper from the waters, to spirit away
to your side. And always I recall
our stolen escapade that day
over the Serpentine, beneath the bridge
passers-by imbibing our laughter.
One October you sailed, solo
a hurried crossing. No warning,
no time to map the nebulous way
towards the blue light. Gone from
my sight. I pray you did not linger
upon the Lethe, lulled into oblivion.
Nor felt the purgatorial pull of all
the left-behinds – but played them
as a cine film of someone else’s making.
But please do not forget to anchor there
and haul me safely up that farther shore.
Notes:
In Greek mythology, the Lethe flowed around the cave of Hypnos and through the Underworld where all those who drank from it experienced complete forgetfulness.
Sarah invites us to take to the waters with her poetics prompt: Come Sail
PoetryPix 
Oh you gave this prompt something so much deeper than the boat… that trip we all will make is something we can only see from the shore we inhabit.
For me a boat trip always has that parallel
Wow, this is powerful. I love the connection to Greek Mythology!
Many thanks Lucy – those mythologies are never far from consciousness
{{{HUGS}}} to you. This could not have been an easy one to write.
“But please do not forget to anchor there
and haul me safely up that farther shore.”
Thanks for your appreciation and sensitivity x
You are welcome, Laura.
This is haunting and heartbreaking, and full of the poignancy of loss: stunning.
Many thanks Ingrid – you nailed it!
I can see it all unfold in a beautiful painting…
…hauled safely up that shore.
_/\_
I hope and pray so!
🙂🙏
A journey some take too soon. The grief and ache are palpable. (K)
Thank you
beneath the bridge
passers-by imbibing our laughter
That’s so cool, I could see it and hear it. There is such strong emotion throughout the poem, ending with such poignancy.
Thank you for that
Heartfelt piece. The second stanza tugged at my heart. Wonderful poetry, Laura 🙂
Thank you for being so moved!
You’re most welcome.
Wow.
High praise from you – many thanks for that
It is a stunning poem!
I am very uplifted by that!
oooooooh. this story carries so much weight. the last two lines are heartfelt.
Yes some weighty words mixed in with laughter – enough to stay buoyant! Many thanks
Agreed! You’re welcome, Laura!
A beautiful post of love lost and memories held… I loved the image of you under the bridge….passers-by imbibing our laughter.
Very well done, Laura!
Dwight
Dwight I really appreciate this high praise – thank you
You are most welcome. I enjoyed it.
I want to hold on to that laughter, but know the meeting on that farther shore would bring smiles once more.
yes it is the age old comedy of tears and laughter in which each of us plays a part
I felt the ache in my soul. Eloquent and poignant. The last two lines tugged on my heartstrings. Very powerful poem.
Thank you for your heartfelt words!