The+Sea+Anemones+by+Gwen+Harwood

THE SEA ANEMONES - Gwen Harwood

Grey mountains, sea and sky. Even the misty seawind is grey. I walked on lichened rock in a kind of late assessment, call it peace. The sea anemones, scarlet, gouts of blood. There is a word I need, and the earth was speaking. I cannot hear. These seaflowers are too bright. Kneeling on rock, I touch them through cold water. My fingers meet some hungering gentleness. A newborn child's lips moved so at my breast. I woke, once, with my palm across your mouth. The word is: ever. Why add salt to salt? Blood drop by drop among the rocks they shine. Anemos, wind. The spirit, where it will. Not flowers, no, animals that must eat or die.