Hugh Hazelton


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

Ocean Memories
(Extracts)

Myself conch or skiff
oyster drifting on spawn
off my origin shore
I run aground on the rock
congealing the inner ivory
mother-of-pearl of all Japans.

I
oceanic infinity
universal memory
am the tiny pearl
in the iridescent womb
cradle of humanity.

 S

Like a boat on its side
taking on water through some open
wound I lie
periwinkle and multiple parasites
frozen for eternity
in my navigator shell
with oars stowed
in the deserted womb.

Sculpture of the sea¹s depths
I distil calcium tears
and beg memory to move on.

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