Yellowed film spins reel,
buoy’s roulette, blinking
green, then red, in wind-
rattled notes, silent sound
through fish-dense mist’s
shroud of moonlessness.
I, upturned, paste-faced,
full starkers, wet-footed,
numb red fingertipped,
& windbreaker whipped,
am waiting.
Are “we” flotsam, jetsam,
lagan, or finally derelict?
[44 words]
Note: I have a general idea what flotsam and jetsam are, but here are the definitions per wiki of the terms used in the last couplet:
Flotsam refers to goods from a sunken vessel that have floated to the surface of the sea, or any floating cargo that is cast overboard.
Jetsam designates any cargo that is intentionally discarded from a ship or wreckage. Legally jetsam also floats, although floating is not part of the etymological meaning. Generally, “jettisoning” connotes the action of throwing goods overboard to lighten the load of the ship if it is in danger of sinking.
Lagan are goods cast overboard and heavy enough to sink to the ocean floor, but linked to a floating marker, such as a buoy or cork, so that they can be found again by the person who marked the item. Lagan can also be large objects trapped within the sinking vessel.
Derelict can refer to goods that have sunk to the ocean floor, relinquished willingly or forcefully by its owner, and thus abandoned, but which no one has any hope of reclaiming.
*Please also note that starkers here is short for stark-raving mad, not naked.
Jane inspired me to add a second Q.
De Jackson (aka Whimsygizmo) is today’s host for dVerse’ Quadrille Monday. De says:
write a quadrille (a poem of exactly 44 words, not including title) using moon.
Tao Talk 
Flotsam and Jetsam are also the names of the eels in Little Mermaid. Trivia for you.🙃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, how cute! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! What a glorious earful of words this one is! I simply love it. “moonlessness” is a fantastic twist on the word, and your word choices, rhymes and subtle rhymes here are spectacular.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, De <3 That was the first idea I had, finished off after the process of the others and it seemed too good to waste. Jane's 2nd Q decided me to post it.
LikeLike
Such an atmospheric poem that conveys the feeling of being lost and waiting to be found once more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Di, thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A survivor’s story or philosophical rumination, I think both. We’ve lost our humility before nature’s gifts and its force.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dora. I appreciate what you see in it.
LikeLike
Gorgeous piece, Jade.🖤
LikeLike
Jude, thank you <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really felt the cold in this both for real and metaphorically
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you felt it, Bjorn, thank you.
LikeLike
“fish-dense mist’s
shroud of moonlessness”
This is packed with imagery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Freya!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very powerful poem
LikeLike
Sadje thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully expressed Lisa ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
AJ, thank you <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
The moonless mist…it definitely turns the mind inside-out. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, Lisa! <3
~David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, David. Writing this one helps with catharsis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person