Jennifer Malden lives in Italy and, apparently, loves it there, in particular Sardinia.  That wonderful Mediterranean air and lifestyle have clearly given her the freedom and head-space to write this week’s Write Out Loud Poem of the Week: Mediterranean August. 

I don’t know about you, but after checking out the notes on Jennifer’s Write Out Loud biography about life in Italy and then reading this beautifully evocative poem, I am all set to move across the channel to find peace, happiness and fulfilment!  We have the sun in the UK at the moment, but what about the easy-going national temperament and cheap, locally produced wine?  A plate of olives for lunch today methinks…

Congratulations to Jennifer, and here is the selected poem:

 

mediterranean august

by jennifer Malden

 

Hot curry scent of helichrysum

rosemary, myrtyle and lavender

flaunting scarlet bougainvillea

darkly shadowed by umbrella pines.

Colourful butterfly windsurf sails

zigzagging across the turquoise bay

watched through dark glasses.

Small orange and cobalt fishing boats

riding motionless on glittering

flawless transparent emerald glass.

Golden sunbaked body lying limp

facing an opaque pewter sea

hopefully waiting for an evening breeze.

Setting out after crimson sunset

expectant with engine chugging

and fierce steel hooks cruelly baited.

Rocking over depths under the moon

bent on a mysterious treasure hunt.

Hauling in strange writhing, wriggling shapes

appearing from secret haunts below

sliding, slithering, slipping, gasping

conger, moray, scorpion and bass.

Then some evening excitement sought

with bronzed shoulders bared for display.

Gaudycoloured  iceclinking liquid

in tall frosted glasses on little tables

with dark admiring faces glancing.

Fine scents of strange creatures cooking

clinking plates and hunger satisfied.

After, lying out under the stardome

with the silent sweep of great owl wings

and the softly crashing lacy breakers

lulling us to sleep until first light.