Ann E. Michael
She Walks in Seaweed
for Sophie, after George Gordon, Lord Byron
She walks in seaweed, as one might
in cloudless climes where air is warm;
and should you see her, tanned and bright
along a wild and rocky shore
turn toward the waves, wade to her knees
and peer at all the tumbling there—
the mass of pebbles, sand, and weeds
that shift and flow like locks of hair—
you may well ask what arts she knows
as through the kelp-thronged sea she goes.
The Marlinspike
At the marina, wind slaps mast lines;
harbor rings like a gamelan band.
Passing moored boats, you admire knots—
fisherman’s bends, sheepshanks, pile hitches
intrigue you: how many ways to tie,
to keep in place the loose ends of life.
Knots are useful to you. All your life—
abseiling, lashing sails, heaving-lines—
secrets of the loop and of the bend,
bound to memory. Yet you cannot
predict which link will cause a hitch;
you just know what you can, and cannot, tie.
Daily, you rise. You put on your tie,
the pen and keyboard of everyday life
tensioned tightly: even the bowline
feels like a noose. Caught, in life’s bind.
When you can’t loosen the bight, a knot
loses its intricacy. Just one more hitch.
Whether it’s overhand, turle, clove-hitch,
when the knot stubbornly won’t untie,
a marlinspike might make your life
easier, love; and here’s the line
extended toward you. Not meant to bind—
simply a choice. You choose the knot:
paragum, pile hitch. Cordage will not
undo itself. The highwayman’s hitch
you tried and yanked loose, untied
the painter—yet it drags behind your life-
boat, never pays out easily. This line
slips, bends, loops, frays—tightens every bond.
If you leave this dock, where are you bound?
You’ll still measure your speed in knots,
you’ll still require a slip to hitch
your craft, no matter where you tie
the sailor’s turle. Assess your life.
Look back to me; I’m holding the line,
the boatknife, marlinspike, wedding band.
Lake pulls. Lines fray. You might unhitch
these ties, or not; you may hang on for dear life.
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| Avila Gray is a self-taught illustrator, specialising in fine ink pen and watercolour paintings. Avi is based in Sydney, Australia, where she operates a stationery business called Erlenmeyer, selling art prints, greeting cards, playing cards, stickers and colouring books. Erlenmeyer is also the name of Avi's storytelling animal kingdom; a futuristic utopia where sentient creatures live in harmony across 12 cities on Earth. All of the compositions from her illustrative range depict snapshots from this story; her body of work shows the animal characters that colour the Erlenmeyer world, as well as their culture, values and how they live. Avi has been selling her illustrations and products since 2014 and became a resident at Australia’s iconic Rocks Market for many years, developing a loyal customer base and social media following. After several years of trade shows in Sydney and London, her designs can now be found in more than 80 shops worldwide. Many of Avi's designs are licensed by the international greeting card company, Moonpig.
For additional information, please visit www.erlenmeyer.com.au.
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