Though Anna had signed her creation, I no longer
remember her last name, having eventually given
the bottle to my daughter. I do recall learning that
she was rather well-known seventy-five or so years ago.



Message In Anna's Bottle

Years ago I found this old bottle
And kept it for no other reason
Than it is beautiful – shimmering
Blues, colors pure as deep water,
As though she had held the sea
In her hands and shaped that one
Precarious moment between its
Rising and falling away again.

I love this woman I've never met
Yet know by what she has made
No differently than a poet does
Who in her art takes from the fire
Of what she loves and breathes
Into it the shape of something
She knows is beautiful, enduring;
A thing to be found and kept.

For years I had wanted to write
The perfect poem and place it
In her bottle, releasing it into
The sea, the work of my own art
Left for someone to find and
Know me by what I had made.
Now I know her bottle is the poem.

Years from now, as you read this,
You will know me by this legacy:
A beautiful blue bottle that I loved,
And the poem I could never write.




Poetry by countryfog
Read 592 times
Written on 2010-12-01 at 13:34

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It's that connection between artist and viewer. It can't be forced. Anna made that bottle for you. It was a gift.
2010-12-02


Nils Teodor The PoetBay support member heart!
Your text touched my heart
beautifully written
Thanks for sharing
2010-12-01


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Ah, but you did (write it), and very well. (I've written The One poem too many times to count. A day or two later, it's turned to trash, and I have to start over. Maybe I should look into glass-blowing.)
2010-12-01


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Another of your treasures unfolded for us to view and enjoy. Great stuff

Thanks

Joe
2010-12-01


shells
Such a beautiful, intriguing story, there didn't need to be a message in the bottle, it is still travelling in one way or another.
2010-12-01


John Ashleigh The PoetBay support member heart!
You tell such beautiful stories. You must have lived such a vast life - and experianced so much. I find pleasure in reading your poetry. Thankyou.

Regards,
John.
2010-12-01