I hold the skirts of my dress
the only luggage I carry
push away from the bank
this wooden boat my compass
three strong pulls
then I release the oars
the boat, my vessel
bobs over rivulets,
crashing through currents
beyond,
the wake soothes my soul
and I caress the water
hair spilling over like seaweed
one splash and the abandoned oars
take up their own journey
setting me free.
Catherine Johnson, © 2013.
I think I might play around with this a lot and bring it up to the standard of the other Moppers (I just made that up 
)
It’s also given me a great idea for a theme day! (Oh no not another one you say)
I’ve had a great week for books showing up, first the adorable picture book by David Harrison:
And yesterday Island Wonders, an anthology from the competition the Poetry Institute of Canada runs every year, showed up. Start writing for this year’s comp btw. If you want to read my poem, it’s the Never Go Picnicking with Elephants Loose (see David’s blog) and seems like the only one in the book for kids. Even the eleven year old poets wrote adult ones. (The wisdom they have at that age is mind-boggling – sneaks off to apply to McDonalds again 
)
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | a poem, Catherine Johnson, David Harrison, Island Wonders, Lady of Shalott, poetry
Hi Catherine,
Many thanks for the kind words about my new title. They are much appreciated. I like your site, too. Congratulations!
David
Hi David,
Thank you too! Have a great day.
Catherine
Wonderful poem Catherine. xx HUGS
Thank you, Lord David. :0)
I like your poem. Remember Anne reading it and the scene in the movie.
It was Kat Apel who gave me the idea for the title. I need to read both again. Or at least snippets.
Catherine…that is so beautiful…I love your poem…I felt her sense of freedom at letting fate determine her direction.
Have a beautiful day!
Thank you, Vivian. I love the adventure and freedom in it. You too!
I loved it, Catherine
I must share it with my kindreds now 
What a nice surprise <3 and David's books looks delicious. I must find it for Rilla 
Super, does it remind you of Anne too, with you living there. I’ll have to write one about you one day
It reminds me of that part of the book exactly, perfect with the hair. Loved that. lol I’d love for you to writ eone about me
You’re on! :0)
whohoo! Can’t wait
It’s too long since I read any of the Anne books, but The Lady of Shalott is one of my favourite poems. I love what you have done with your poem – I can feel her interpretation through it.
And I’m going to have to go and read the poem. How funny that I hadn’t read it.
Enjoy! Over the years I’ve found that each time I read it I understand something differently. I love that about good literature, particularly poetry.
I really liked the poem, Catherine…especially how it ends with the character casting aside the oars to drift to wherever the current takes her. I bet there will be adventure there
I’d love to hear you tell the rest of the story with a viking in it, Mike :0)
Catherine you know how much i love your work. This is no different. The words paint such a vivid scene. I could see the poem unfold until its total release. Well done.
Awh thank you, Pamela!
A super poem! Catherine, I love it!
Thanks, Freeda!
You’re welcome.
Enjoyed this very much, Catherine…very eerie, yet hopeful..
Thanks Matt. I don’t often right serious ones.
Your poetry offering makes me want to leave my house in a jiffy and travel with nothing but clothes on, going wherever my feet would take me. Such a nice thought this Friday, Catherine. Thanks for the poem!
Yay! Freedom. That’s awesome, are there any parks near you?
Fabulous poem, Catherine! I like the idea of these two meeting. Thanks for highlighting David’s book – a must read/purchase. Happy Friday! =)
Happy Friday to you too, Bridget. Are you on Twitter?
A perfect title, bringing so many memories to collide in this lovely poem.
Thank you, Doraine. Memories to collide would make a good poem too.
Whoa, I think this is one of my favorites of yours so far! So many good lines – the luggage, the hair like seaweed, the abandoned oars on their own journey. Dang – good stuff, Catherine!
Now I’ve gotta go get me some of them raccoons!
Thank you, Renee. I opened a vein with the poem before that so I was feeling all ‘let it all out’ lol.
Go get the raccoons!
Very fun, Catherine! The picture is perfect too. (Makes me want to find my Anne and read the chapter of her going out in her rowboat while reading The Lady…if my memory serves me right). And congratulations on your poem in David’s book.
Thanks, Violet. My poem is only on David’s blog, I’m nowhere good enough to be in one of his books lol.
I’d like to be drifting in that rowboat about now…
I bet! After MoP
Take care!
Cute raccoons, I’ll have to see if my library has that book.