Swim on Star
In fine Hoot tradition, the December gathering was filled with a variety of poetic
styles. From Gary Widger’s "bio-poem" as introduction, to a poem about
flannel sheets by Jean Tupper ("flannel on flannel
in a king size bed is paddling upstream…"), to a rousing sing along to the
"Twelve Days of Christmas"
with the names of legendary hoot attendees, there was never a dull moment. It was cold
outside, but
there wasn’t a warmer place in Portsmouth than Café Espresso. This poem by Hugh
Hennedy of
Portsmouth also plays with hot and cold:
Swim on StarSo right away cold
you tingle
Thrilled you keep on
going until
The hot cold is atalmost your armpits
And now one two three onetwo and
All of you isin the lovely fire
And when you are out
the lone gull on the massive rock
Bays loudand long
agape
- Hugh Hennedy
Locals will recognize "Star" as the island, and may have felt the fiery cold
of our Atlantic waters. We immerse ourselves in the poem as the speaker is immersed - the
language and pacing allowing us to share the experience - and we are left with the
unsettling cry of the gull. There is lonely wildness in raspy gull sounds that is
perfectly suited to the lonely wildness of the ocean. What does it mean to enter that
wildness? How are we changed by leaving the human shore and offering ourselves to the
depths of nature?
-
Lesley Kimball
"Swim on Star" copyright 2005 by Hugh Hennedy.
Hugh Hennedy’s poems have appeared in many periodicals, including Beloit Poetry
Journal, James Joyce Quarterly, and Tar River Poetry. His books of poetry are Old
Winchester Hill (Enright House, 1993) and Halcyon Time (Oyster River Press,
1993). A New Englander by birth and inclination, he lives now in Portsmouth.
Please note: Poems submitted to this column should not exceed 19 lines.