Jonathan Eskew


Translation of Annie Molin Vasseur's poem "Mémoires océanes"

Ocean Memories
(Excerpts)

Me conch or bark
oyster becoming in the brood
abreast of my origin
I run aground on the rocks
congealing my internal ivory
mother-of-pearl from every Japan.

I
infinity of the oceans
universal memoir
am the little pearl
in the iridescent gut
cradle of humanity

. . .

Like a beached boat
that takes on water through some wound
I was open
abalone and various parasites
frozen for eternity
in my navigator's shell
with oars stowed
in my barren gut.

Sculpture from the depths
I distill chalky tears
and beg that this memoir forge ahead.

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