SATURDAY'S POEM
THE RIVER
by Natalie d'Arbeloff
Out of the mist and winds
Carried upon the river's back
I made small entrance
Taking nothing with me
Save the fast forgotten past
Trailing clouds of dust
Into my eyes.
Having crossed the river once
I left the blanket at its side
And rode into my own
Naked on the hard silk
Of the horse's naked back.
Others came after me in time
In time they came and went.
The last wore sandals and carried
Their necks high, piercing
The coconuts with their eyes.
They picked the fruit and ate
Their fill. And in time they too
Swept the river from their feet.
In the season when water was dry
And sand a luxury to be had in measured doses
I came to stay. And when I came
The water lapped my feet and licked my cheek
And the dogs took turns remembering my scent.
I too in time
Swept the river from my feet
But not before the sigh imprisoned
In my breast heaved and sighed. I sighed
And then the waters lifted
And before the river I took account
And rendered to it my solemn years.
The photo is of an oil painting Natalie d'Arbeloff did "a long time ago," entitled "Storm Sky, San Antonio Paraguay." She says, "You can just see the river - the Rio Paraguay - a sliver of light behind the palm trees." d'Arbeloff is an artist/writer/cartoonist/blogger who was born in Paris and raised in Europe, South America, and USA. She lives in London. She is the ego part of the alter ego Augustine, a cartoon character who lives at http://www.nataliedarbeloff.com/blaugustine.html . Both are currently working on a graphic novel, http://www.nataliedarbeloff.com/blaugarchive.html when not busy interviewing God, http://www.nataliedarbeloff.com/interviewgod.html . Some of Natalie's limited edition artists' books can be seen at http://www.nataliedarbeloff.com/books.html . Her politically incorrect but true satire "The Joy of Letting Women Down - Secrets of the Worshipped Male" (Robson Books, UK, 2000) can be ordered at Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/1861053762/ref=sib_dp_pt/202-0440440-8062258#reader-link
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A NOTE TO THE POETS OUT THERE
I'm interested in considering your "poems of place" for publication in The Middlewesterner's "Saturday's Poem" feature; send two or three of your best in the body of an e-mail addressed to tmmontag@dotnet.com . Put "Saturday's Poem" in the subject line. Then be patient. I will get back to you about whether I'll use your work or not. Send along a short biographical note and information about where your books can be purchased and I'll include that when your poem runs. There's no payment involved for having your work appear in "Saturday's Poem," but the feature is seen by some few high class readers. Click here for complete index of and access to "Saturday's Poems" poems published prior to September 18, 2004.
What a pleasant surprise, as I open your blog ( at almost 4 in the morning, during a spell of insomnia!) to find art and poetry by Natalie! I am a real fan of her amazing blog. Thanks, Tom.
Posted by: Marja-Leena | September 03, 2005 at 05:52 AM
Wonderful poem. Is there no end to Natalie's talents? I think not.
Posted by: leslee | September 03, 2005 at 07:22 AM
I am so so so thrilled to be here on this beautiful space, in such amazing company. Thank you Tom for this great honor (and honour). And it must be a first for Paraguay to be featured in the Midwest!
Posted by: Natalie | September 03, 2005 at 08:10 AM
Marja-Leena--I am tickled that I could help make your insomnia a little pleasanter. I'm fortunate to have Natalie's poem and the painting here - I mean here, in Fairwater, Wisconsin, from London, England. It just amazes me!
Posted by: Tom Montag | September 08, 2005 at 11:55 AM
The answer is "No," Leslee. There is no end to Natalie's talents!
Posted by: Tom Montag | September 08, 2005 at 11:56 AM
And I am honoured to have your poem and painting here, Natalie. From Paraguay to London to Fairwater, Wisconsin. Imagine! (Yes, a poem about Paraguay is a first for The Middlewesterner.)
Posted by: Tom Montag | September 08, 2005 at 11:59 AM