Ocracoke sky, taken by Rob
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January 5, 2008
Lea sketch of Rob fishing, on Ocracoke 5 Jan 2008
January 4, 2008
On Ocracoke Island
Five days on Ocracoke, at the southern end of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In a house that sits on a canal where we can watch the great blue heron who lives across the way, or the pair of otters who come visit, or the pelican who flies by to check out the scene. Early in the week it was warm, then a freezing wind blew for two days. Now moderating, and calm. Ocracoke light is slanting, bright gold, fading to rose and blue in the evening. Beginnings of a poem...
Universe (draft)
and he set the bowl of almonds on the table
while we went on talking--do you remember
that trip to New York when you skated round the park
and I stayed with the beginners, circling circling
not even changing directions?
I couldn't figure out how to stop, so
when it came right to it, I would just fall down
gently if possible.
The sun tipped low across the room
and I stared unseeing at the carpet's gold field
bounded by blue, and the blue medallions marching
inside it, some in full bloom
others half hidden as they moved out of the frame. My friend
told me that motif illustrates the universe
stretching to infinity in all directions, bounded
only by our perception
our weaving together the stories of the world.
I never could skate very well, I thought
and ate a few almonds, dusting salt from my fingertips.
The heron outside caught another fish and shook it, rippling
the canal so its velvet floor vanished into sky-water-sky
We kept talking, leaning back in our chairs as the smell
of baking bread filled the room and a gull's shadow passed
(c) Lea Marshall 2008