Green Water

Down by green water where duckweed was spreading
I waded in mud that was up to my knees
I fished sunken treasure with nylons for netting
I captured a damselfly green as the seas.

Down by green water she told me a story
of valor and peril, enchantment and fear
of lake-bottom battles, of bottle-green glory
of unexplored kingdoms whose borders lay near.

Down by green water I heard what Odysseus
heard from the Sirens, when chained to his lock
he raved at the rowers and cursed the capricious
fortune that saved him from death on the rock.

Down by green water I heard a horn blowing
from Elfland the Fair or from Tir na nÓg.
I danced with the damsel, bewitched and unknowing
that fair Jenny Greenteeth lived deep in the bog.

Down in green water where sediment settles
Down in green depths, over water-smoothed stones
Down under duckweed and guardian nettles
Green water nibbles the flesh from my bones.



image by Wordle

Collection available! Knocking from Inside