Poem: "In the Belly of the Bird"

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I would like to dedicate this poem to Linda Russ, Pam Elmore and Melody Wilson. You were my "guardians" this week. May I always remember to reach out and grab the hands that are extended.

(Photo credit: environmentalaska.us)

In the Belly of the Bird

By Rachel E. Watson

The great white shark surges up

to snap my tightrope in two,

plunging me deep into the belly

of the icy upper Pacific—
shark- and whale-infested waters—
and I really, truly,

believe I cannot swim.

But then a rescue copter

calls out to me from above:

“Kick your legs,” the pilot says.

I kick until I feel my legs give out.

Just before my limbs fail me,

the guardian ties a rope

to the chopper’s landing skids

and starts to descend

down to the mooringless waters.

Extending a strong arm,

she pulls me up.

I am now in the belly of this bird,

not in the belly of the waters.

Hours elapse before that sinks in.

A soft, fleece blanket has been wrapped

around my shoulders—who did that?

I’m not sure I’ll be able to thank her
because my whole body is shaking.

I’m not on that tightrope,

I’m not kicking in shark-infested waters.
The stinging smell of the saltwater cannot harm me,
although its briney taste still pierces my tongue.

I have to retrain my brain

to look at the horizon,

to converse with the pilot

and to thank my guardian.

The shore is hours away.

I don’t have to swim there.

And that is enough.

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About Post Author

Rachel E. Watson

I think, read and write. I might mull on music, spin original poems, share insights or tell stories, but you can be sure whatever you read here comes from a thoughtful and considered place within.

2 comments:

Adam said...: I especially love the last lines:

"The shore is hours away.
I don’t have to swim there.
And that is enough."; May 15, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Rachel E. Watson said...: Cool! That's great feedback. I wrote two endings for it, and this was the second one. So I'm glad I went with my gut on which was more impactful. :); May 15, 2015 at 11:53 AM

Rachel E. Watson