There is a human wildness held beneath the skin.
– by Jim Harrison, from Songs of Unreason
When Sol burns white
sea turns deep green;
where sand warms, my
bones do not shiver. A
pale palm across lids
shadow transports, bass
deep and high to a realm
of relic seasoned whiff;
where incorporate clouds
urge and itch this shroud.
Amygdala oceans crash
and saturate each cell as
I claw and scratch, free,
then leap towards the shore;
to dive where bends wights
soon caterwaul my return.
Top image: “Underwater Vision,” (1910) by Odilon Redon
Linda Lee Lyberg is today’s host of dVerse’ Poetics. Linda says:
The challenge is to pick one [Jim Harrison] line and use it as an epigraph for a poem inspired by the line. You may write your poem in any form you wish.
Tao Talk 
I love the sea images of the wildness… you made me long for a sea that is willing to embrace me in warmth.
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Thank you very much, I long for such warmth also.
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Lisa, you have captured the wildness so well. I had to look up ‘amygdala’- what a great word!
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Thanks much, Linda. Not a word Harrison would probably use but I like it as a transition word here.
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This is fierce and unbeatable.
much love…
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Thank you, Gillena 🙂
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I almost feel like I have to reread this over and over quickly before it ends…
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🙂
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This is beyond beautiful! 😀 I so love the wildness of the sea here that seems to coincide with human impulses as well! 💝💝
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Thanks much, Sanaa 🙂 ❤
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Like a fevered dream. The Redon is perfect. (K)
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Thank you, K.
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This tells me there can be a wildness that is not meant to be tamed, but rather to be experienced.
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Absolutely. I believe too much energy is expended on sustaining domestication and not nearly enough engaging in experiences.
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Your words create a vivid vibrant world Li.
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Many thanks, Sadje ❤
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My pleasure
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“Amygdala oceans crash
and saturate each cell”… 🤯 mind blown. Loved every line.
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Thank you, Darius.
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You’re welcome, Lisa ☺️
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*APPLAUSE*
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Thanks much, David ❤
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Beautifully said, you have found the wilderness in an ocean of emotion.
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Your comment is poetry, thank you, Truedessa.
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I agree with Memad (K) too. It came across just like a fevered dream and I was swept along by it. Lovely poem, Lisa.
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Glad to hear you connected with it, Sunra, thank you.
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“Where incorporate clouds
urge and itch this shroud.”
🤩🤩
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🙂 Glad you like, Veera!
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you’re welcome! 🙂
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A wonderful set of opening lines for your great poem, Lisa!
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Thank you, Dwight 🙂 I know I’m behind on your story. Hope to catch up tomorrow. It’s been a whirlwind week. Just got in from clearing the driveway.
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No problem… take your time! Don’t over do…
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Oceans are at their majestic best when they are wild and you captured that so wonderfully, Li! I felt as if I was out at sea. ❤️
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I’m glad you connected with it, Punam. Many thanks for your kind words ❤
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You are so welcome. ❤️
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such a beautiful poem for the prompt Lisa!
💖
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Glad you like it, Cindy, thank you ❤
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Beautiful. I would love to dive into that sea right now.
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Thank you, Grace, so would I.
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The wildness within you, and around you, expressed so very well…..
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Ain, thank you. Sometimes I wish I could sprout a tail, jump in, and never return to land.
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Really enjoyed this, Lisa … a poem chock full of emotion / movement.
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Thanks, Helen!
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Wonderful escapism reading this poem!
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Marion, so glad to oblige 🙂
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Amygdala…beautiful word…I had to google it. I like the flow of it.
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Thank you, Max. It’s an interesting part of the brain with a neat name to go with it.
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I like words with flow…and thta has it.
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🙂
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‘Amygdala oceans crash
and saturate each cell’
– I love the power and sound of this image, Lisa!
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Thank you, Ingrid 🙂
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