Poetry Drop – Martha Serpas

Technorati Tags: Poetry, Martha Serpas, Louisiana, Coastal Erosion

  

Martha Serpas is from Galliano, Louisiana, and her book of poetry, The Dirty Side of the Storm, bears witness to the tragic erosion of Louisiana’s coast.  it was a beautiful book of poetry, which of course was particularly meaningful for me since I grew up in that region.  Here is my favorite poem in the book.

 

Reburial at Sea

Leeville Cemetary, LA

 

They must have heard it coming-

the relentless marsh water

throwing itself against their vaults,

salt heavy and exhausted, day

after day, the old bricks

warmed in the noon sun.

It must have sounded like regret, like

a bunkmate’s throaty breathing

getting louder and closer

as the deckhands roll from sleep.

It must have set the marsh struggling,

high tide’s long muddy arms

that lift bodies into a bath

or onto the quilted gulf.

It must have kept them company,

the persistent lapping, the slow rock down-

when one holds still, the world’s

rough motions calm into shining ripples.

They must have been comforted

that change is possible for the dead.