by

poetry: transmogrify me

i’ve been to this beach before
but i’m thinking of that one
time when i cried into the wind 
begging spirits to save my trapped
soul and something answered. not mermaid

goddesses wrapped in shimmery light, but
a sea hag draped in foggy 
sadness. “you want out?” she hissed
through cracked lips. i nodded feeling
the air leave my lungs. slippery

quick, an eel through water, my
knees buckled as knarled hands placed 
a rotted seaweed crown upon my 
matted hair. “i deserve nothing but
pain,” i managed to say. manic

laughter roaring with the waves, calling
me a liar. red-bearded pirates
pointed rusty blades at my pale
neck. i ran. and ran. for
years. and years. jellyfish growing fat

within my belly. sharp spiny barnacles
grow under my breasts and between 
my thick thighs. ice forming heavy
around my heart, protecting soft
starfish memories from spilling. but now

oh now

my seaweed crown is slipping. walking
in my old footsteps, i sing
“you are special” under my breath
wondering if i believe. a lilting
voice joins mine and I follow

into a narrow rocky cave. here
a siren gently whispers seashell songs
which vibrate through my body, rocking
me like golden sunset waves. warm
fingers find my face. “you are 

loved,” she sings. “time to forgive
yourself.” salty tears fall from hazel
eyes as slimy seaweed slips onto
the cold sandy ground. i see 
not her beautiful garments nor her

phosphorescent glow, but feel her spinning 
me around. and around. strong hands 
pluck hardened crusty foulers from
my body and smashes them hard onto 
the uneven stone walls. powder turns 

powerful. light burns brighter. i shudder
as the foggy vines the sea 
witch weaved deep within me unwind
faster. and faster. healing. releasing. forgiving.
without a word, the siren leaves.

lavender flowers fall around me. “goodbye”
i say under the golden sky.
four sandpipers watch me walk across
the beach. lighter. they don’t run
but i do. time starts again.

sandpiper friends.

my cave.

the view looking out from the inside of the cave. do you see the siren?

Note: I celebrated my birthday today by spending hours wandering the beach taking photos and writing poetry. I hope you enjoy this poem of healing and that it helps you too.

The song I was singing is “Special” by Lizzo. Watch the music video. It will do your heart some good.

85 thoughts on “poetry: transmogrify me”

  3. Hope you had a magical birthday & wonderful visceral verses here! ❤ Especially:
    "strong hands
    pluck hardened crusty foulers from
    my body and smashes them hard onto
    the uneven stone walls" – beautiful description of healing & recovery, Bridgette! 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

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  19. Lovely you sharing your Birthday celebrated today spending hours wandering the beach . Lovely write ✍️ you poem. So nice words written in.
    Excellent photography. Beautiful golden sky photography. I like.Nice cave.
    “Happy Birthday to you, Bridgette 🌹”!

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. There is pacing here that moves thread by thread, like breathing does, that’s how I feel this poem of yours. Your honesty makes the experience reading vibrant, or should I say – vibrate.

    “an eel through water”, I love that phrase. While less than a glad moment within the poem – good analogy for how this poem swims. It does. Without resistance.

    And healing – there’s so much I don’t know – nor need to know – but yea, a dawn, a window opening. And that last line – yes – who knows what comes next. What more to ask.

    I’ve long liked your writing Bridgette, from way back when, but clear that you are learning and growing – both your voice and ability. I lift my hat to you. My heart follows you.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • You’ve made my day with this thoughtful comment, Neil. I do feel like my poetry muscles are starting to stretch some. I’m encouraged by your kindness and your specific feedback. This was a very personal poem to write, but it felt right. Something shifted for me on the beach and maybe I can finally put behind all the horrible things and move through them to some other place. I surely hope so. Maybe I’m the eel moving through water…

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you so much! Yes, it felt like a wonderful gift to be able to spend my day writing poetry and taking photographs. I got to eat some dark chocolate and read a book by a fire too. Every birthday should be this peaceful.

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you for the birthday wishes and the feedback about the poem. I’m glad you found it intense and inspiring—it was very personal and healing to write. I’m feeling much lighter since penning it.

      Liked by 1 person

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  30. Happy belated birthday, Bridgette! Sounds like a wonderful day of reflection and celebrating YOU. What a powerful poem of transformation, I pray you continue to cut away those vines and be lighter. 💞💞💞

    Liked by 1 person

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  32. This is the best poem from you that I have read. The rhythm is just right: flow interrupted with the periods, the phrases pushing the reader into the next line in an uncontrived way. The photos are fantastic. Happy belated birthday!

    Liked by 1 person

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