praise shells

 

Clare Whistler

crack willow

marsh harrier crow mob

shine water ribbons

 

sink foot

 

car blast

float feather mash

red bone leavings

 

mud markers

rising over boots

ooze seal

 

weight sinker

 

sheep convene

wool waterlogged

grey beaten

 

field sink

 

private water

magical undersee

other lives churn

 

we are all sinking

 

(or drying)

 

stuck fall pull

hip yank root hold

unable to –

 

three clothed bodies

verticals on sinking green

slow wanderers seeing

 

spread white feathers

on grass-flurry

wind sockets  mud-tucked

 

cold sinkering

 

bird-dropped shells

strange palms opening

clapping  upwards

 

 

 

 

 

Praise Shells

 

Clare Whistler

 

 

Elephant Press 2020