The Stalker!
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I dedicate this poem to Ben Gieske as he used the
sun as a stalker in one of his poems. It gave me a
shock because of a heatwave in 2009 in S.A. where
many people lost their lives and our morgue was
overflowing. My sympathies go out to other people
in countries who have suffered because of climate
change. Going to the beach is not the answer as my
children developed sun stroke while swimming. Ben
has kindly given me permission to use the stalker
metaphor and thank you Ben and, as mentioned
before, you are a true gentleman.
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You are the outrageous red umbrella
sunk in fool’s perilous yellow quicksand.
Gulls lean cries to the tide’s futile freeze-off
as I test the brine of my body’s bake.
Blue bottles hide in snide-sultry shallows
a sting away from bare-terror toes as
undercurrents tug-of-war surrender~
I am the thumps of lorikeet's pink breast
plastered with lumps of ghostly-white sunscreen;
the orange sun hat clutching my scorched head
as crawling spots now cancer-eat my cheeks.
My strained eyes peer as I sear from sand's bites
with death's daze of driftwood’s grotesque figures
dragged into sea by wild and willful waves~
Once my scarlet lover you fully fueled
my spirit, I swam with you, as you cooled
the thirst of Sturt Desert Pea’s red flowers
etched on my swimsuit, as soft Kangaroo
Paw flowers floated in your waiting warmth,
my calm arms breast stroking for you, with you.
Now you are hell’s fire, the older we are
the sooner we die, for you - the sun
~~THE STALKER!!!
Karin Anderson © 2010
All Rights Reserved
Music by Giovani Marradi
Fantastic. What a marvelous tribute to the scorching sunshine which formerly was such a welcome warmth to languidly bathe in. Wonderfully laden with awesome imagery, this is so full and fascinating. Impressive, and haunting, bittersweet and beautiful. Fabulous.
a most brilliant write -Karin
Excellent metaphors and the sun is the power of our life and death and as always your word presentation is so original...Our OZ cancer quote "there's nothing healthy in a tan" that stalker...regards
Nice metaphor and powerful delivery... But human beings must accept all the punishment for their wrong deeds :-)) Nature will do just its duties!
We can all agree this poem was "well Done" and that climate change is a real and present danger. Good write.
What can one say... other comments have captured just what I was feeling... This is truly brilliant, refreshingly innovative... and I love the way you weave in our very own flowers here Down Under... superb, with your very own inimitable style
wonderful forceful write Karin; we humans are fickle, what we embrace at one time, soon falls into disgrace, for sun which is shunned all summer, is welcome for its warmth in winter. Your poem has stunning imagery, we definitely have done something wrong, for I remember my grand ma had flawlesss skin despite sun bathing in winter, with no suntan back then. Orange sunhat, brine of my body's bake, alliteration which enhances the theme and content.stunning How did this change come about, we need to reflect on thoughtprovoking closing lines. thanks
Thank you Dorothy for your comment and I agree, the sun to do us harm was not the creator's invention. I believe climate change is real and we should take responsibility and help towards making the world a safer place if it is not already too late!
'the older we are the sooner we die' Praiseworthy Karin!
Karin, this great work is the answer to a burning question that has been running inside my head.A fascinating work that makes me echo your words. The Stalker indeed! Great dedication in tribute to Ben's work.
Wow! this is an amazing and terrifying at the same time, that which does good can also hurt.
Ah! How did it happen? What turned this friend into a demon stalker? We raise our fist to curse and blame...will it ever be the same as meant to be just to warm the earth, you and me? To have the sun do us harm was not the creator's intention I am sure. Your poem is wonderful...in thought and presentation. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
I read this twice Karin. It was a shock to think of the sun, that we all praise so much, as the stalker. A brilliant poem that certainly makes the reader think how dangerous it can be, as well as a friend it can be the enemy - scary!! I will be recommending this one Karin...... Pat
The sun personified as a once romantic beau turned into a domineering bully. Pass the sunscreen.
Karen, Thanks. A very penetrating, forceful poem. I will reread this several times and I am sure that on each reading the words will penetrate deeper into my consciousness. This is an altogether new take on being at the beach. I truly enjoyed the video. Very relaxing and soothing. A relief after The Stalker. Ben
I agree with Lynda...you have developed your poem theme so well- that too on a female perspective...nice poem, Karin
Great idea and you have written this so well...... excellent Karin
brilliant karin
Wow Karin, an awesome read. The Stalker perfectly portrayed, with some powerful lines...Maggie
oh..I just marvel at all the words here.Very beautiful piece, Karin
Alliterative poetry always attracts me much! This one is no exception!
A truly imaginative piece Karin. Much enjoyed. I agree whole heartedly with Sandra. The imagery is absolutely terrific. May I suggest Coty 'sun block' factor 300.
Your imagery is amazing Karin in this well written piece....Many memorabl lines .. I particularly likeD "I am the thumps of lorikeet's pink breast plastered with lumps of ghostly-white sunscreen; the orange sun hat clutching my scorched head"
lovely and brilliant....and even more lovely with you weaving in bits of brilliant Aussie imagery and realities into the poem: 1) lorikeet's pink breast 2) ghostly-white 3) cancer-eat my cheeks 4) as soft Kangaroo/Paw flowers floated O this is a brilliant poem!