The Paddock Review

Uncovered

 

In her restless shifting, earth 

reveals tresses of cliffs combed by 

wind and rain and sun-bake, 

a piece of northcoast, once under 

forms a path trod over by many.

 

Here, you can amble like a rolling stone

in life’s upwelling

where gulls break open perse mussels

to eat off rainbow plates

warm sun winks at shatterings of our past

ancient middens squint 

in sky’s bright scrutiny.

  

Come sit along the ripe edge of water

to mourn losses or confess crimes

let this rugged roiling add your story 

to exposed pages of bistre, ecru, taupe 

strata of shedding stars

layered volumes written in 

surf’s steady hand

 

incessant gouging holds

no escape except honesty

for the upturned stone

uncovered 

thoughts must reconcile 

with the grand existence of things,

its waves of giving and taking away.  

 

Passing clouds may notice 

but not judge, your

shameless capsized vulnerability

rocky shores of resistance 

no match for these coves of death and renewal

squalls winnow away at pretense

to lay bare your amaranthine heart

as what you let go — and what you don’t

tumbles back into the surf.

…..

This poem is from the chapbook Wild Heart by Karin Uphoff (Finishing Line Press), and can be found at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/wild-heart-by-karin-uphoff/