Briar Island Rock #4
~
~
jointed ruler
(Wreck of the Trafalgar, 1817)
~
the ship is broken on rocks
and we leave in fog
I hold my brother’s hand
we stumble up the shore
in a yellow room of fog
it stumbles with us
they set the baggage down
together, folded
we wait
~
my step-father
pats my mother’s hand
leaves to talk with the Captain
the ship is lost
I look up at my mother
she watches him go, her lips move
she says we will lie in green pastures
~
I look for grass but only see
black rock and grinning fog
lanterns and men calling
my brother sniffs a little
in my pocket I clutch my father’s jointed ruler
he was a carpenter, would have fixed the hole
the mate says
there’s no going back to her now
we stay where we are
folded in a yellow room
luggage at our feet
~
the walls move
the ruler opens
I see the ship
black hull held high
on dark and pointed rock
against the early morning sky
white waves beyond
the ruler closes
~
pink and yellow mix, and the room
is the color of pumpkin
the ruler opens and I know
the black shore has bristles
I heard the mate call it
Briar Island
~
the rock I stand on tips a bit
I step down
the rock is wet and grey
five sides
a funny-looking stone
fits with other stones
strange puzzle
~
I take my ruler
help it to unfold
I measure the rock
I make it jiggle and my brother smiles
a little smile
the ruler folds, unfolds, the room expands
I see my step-father’s uneven walk
across uneven stones
~
~
Copyright 2011, Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
“My father’s jointed ruler…” Who knows how many objects carry the stories of those no longer here… Beautiful drawing – your family is lucky to have someone who can bring the family’s stories to life!
LikeLike
Barbara Rodgers
December 15, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Hi. It would be nice if objects had a ‘hover’ feature, embedded with a paragraph to read about their history! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 16, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Good morning, Jane. What a good poem. I thought of Margarita Engle’s novels-in-verse–teaching history and poetry–for young people, really for all ages. Her website is http://margaritaengle.com. I’ll mention your blog the next time we are in touch. Ellen
LikeLike
Ellen Grace Olinger
December 6, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hi Ellen. I’m glad you liked the poem. Of course the actual experience of my young great-great grandfather may have been quite different, but it helps me to understand my origins! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 7, 2011 at 5:39 pm