On the 6500+ km journey, twice

Gold cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 25 May 2023
  • 1677 reads
19 comments
 
I’m a tiny round egg in the Sargasso sea,
and hatch to be leaf-like, on currents I float
eastward to a continent very remote,
many get eaten, but for now, not me.
 
By the time I get there I’m a clear glass eel,
I enter fresh river water, beginning to feel
myself start to change, become different, and brown
– now I’m called an elver, and I swim further down …
 
– or rather up a branch of the river
slowly get yellow, fatter, longer
and for years I live up there until a further
change from yellow to maturing silver
 
– my body made more ready to go to sea once more.
and wend my way back to where I was before
my end comes in spawning, giving new eggs birth
to make the long life journey … back … and forth.
 
Global traveller, what a wonder
for so long a mystery, amazing life-history.
 
(European Eel) [IP: During a journey …]
Certificate U
Poem
Grand Designs
Nature
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

What a long and complex journey this eel must take. Your poem describes the determination and eagerness to push on, even risking life to reach its goal.

I enjoyed reading Rhiannon.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. You make it sound like  a human being too in persevering! But it's amazing how it is designed to do all that and change from sea water to river water etc, isn't it? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Such a fascinating creature, and a perfect choice for the Inspiration Point this week - thank you Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. It took a bit of research and working on, but I enjoyed doing so! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the cherries! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"I'm a tiny round egg in the Sargasso Sea.." I understand this is one of the wonders of the planet and you document just one of its inhabitants and its epic journey so well, Rhiannon. The Circle of Life in all its glory. Wonderful. Paul 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. It took quite a while before it got to be a compact, simple form for a hopefully enjoyable introduction! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This skillful and informative Nature poem by Rhiannon is Pick of the Day! Please do share and retweet if you can

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Di. I'm glad you thought it worked in the end. And thank you for POD. Hopefully be of interest to more then! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Very well deserved golden cherries Rhiannon - congratulations!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Insert. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Congratulations on the POD, Rhiannon. No one is better than you at describing the fascination of nature. I very much liked the poetic way with which you presented the facts  It was a pleasure to see how you used rhymes and rhythm throughout the poem. I particularly liked your first stanza. Well done.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Luigi. I struggled awhile to check the facts that might be useful, and let them sink in awhile before really attempting  to put them into concise verse, knowing that for such rhymes and rhythm would be so helpful, as you too find often. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

You've brought their amazing life cycle to life with this poem, Rhiannon. I remember looking at a local history book and it stated that a nearby pond used to be 'thick with eels' since there are connecting underwater streams from the Thames. though sadly not so many eels now  Only then did I research and discover this incredible life cycle. Your piece would an entertaining way to teach it to children.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jane. Maybe I should put it under 'Children's' as well. I wanted it to be simple enough for children to enjoy so that it would be straightforward for older ones, too! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Beautiful journey, Rhiannonw. No Traevocity needed. Just hatch and run. And thanks for introducing me to a sea I've never heard of. x

Rich

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Rich. Had to look up what Traevocity was! and I guess they don't run, but get pulled along by the waves and currants, hitching a ride, though I suppose those adult eels going back may swim, orand /use currents toing the other way backwards! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

A jourmey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, a great leap for mankind!

Good Rhiannon, have a good week! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Tom. I guess every journey by animal or us is composed of a series of ittle steps, and sometimes the whole becomes an epic. Rhiannon