spongy skin absorbs every nuance
words are thrown like spears
glances piercing lances
my neurons wired for suspicion
like a gopher too far from his hole
or a softshell turtle
I move slowly
every breath gauged
passersby unwittingly strike
their venom spells my name
I long to break the shell
caution replaced by confidence
the timid turned intrepid
but find solace in solitude
like a veiled chameleon
with self-conscious spots
the background is my comfort
scanning eyes swivel
wary of fearless predators
I dream
a leafless tree
in a forgotten field
with thickly furrowed armour
roots
deep, dark, peerless
in constant shadow
I camouflage my canopy
cut flowers
before they bloom
let me rise
as a wayward cloud
free to take any shape
this very thought
floods stems with anxiety
boughs tremble
roots wither
trunk cracks
axis spins
a nervous tornado
never finding its eye
I must rebuild the walls
a whisper can topple
with delicate bricks
yet still I withdraw
down to the dirt
spectacular stillness
in a broken stump
Lee Beavington is an author, biologist and photographer, and works as a lab instructor at Kwantlen University. You can find him near rivers, ferns, chocolate, dance halls and used book stores. Check out his blog http://leeodyssey.blogspot.com/ on creativity and writing or read his weekly 100-word bioflash at http://www.leebeavington.com.
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5 Responses to “SOFTSHELL • by Lee Beavington”
Comments
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Some very nice images here. I rather like the pace of the second part better than the first – the 2nd part starting for me with the words “I dream”.
I really like this:
“I dream
a leafless tree
in a forgotten field”
January 10th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Imagery is strong and unusual. The second half of the poem flows more freely and has more power. There is talent here but there could be a paring down, a culling, in the first half which would strengthen the poem. Would like to see more from this interesting poet.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Honest, personal, insightful, clear, colourful, and emotional. Good imagery, good poem.
Too long, though, and occasionally a little awkward (e.g. “caution replaced by confidence”).
Well done!
January 10th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Lee,
Beautiful. Liked the ‘nervous tornado, never finding its eye’
–dj
January 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
and I am sure we will indeed be hearing more from Lee Beavington.