
I wrote this poem after reading about Parrotfish. They create entire beaches in Hawaii and help build reef islands in the Maldives by eating coral, digesting the stony bits and excreting them as sand. Yep, you read that right. I was fascinated by how these creatures can build whole beautiful beaches and even islands, a little bit of sand at a time. The notion then co-mingled with an image from a digital art piece I had seen that depicted an angel living on the ocean floor, and voila! Now, I’m not saying anything about the digestive habits of aquatic angels, but I had fun thinking of how we might all be elevated one grain of sand at a time.
The Message
We come face to face,
and I know there is more to this
In what world do winged creatures live in the dark deep?
I swim passed the hourglass that is shattered
– sand being more useful than time –
and I see that you are building an island
and I am your first guest – a child who knows everything to be true
How very wise of you
Though you know I cannot stay
I am the accidental messenger
The incidental friend submerged by wonder
and taken in by what should never be
If one believes the stories…but I don’t
For you are here amassing islands under sea
Proving all things possible
And when you spread your wings, do you fly or float?
Can there be any greater hope? You rise up either way
Even one grain of sand at a time elevates you
© H. Hennenburg, 8 April 2019

Wonderful poem …. a joy to read.
Thank you, Dinka! I greatly appreciate it.
Your writing is so gorgeous. I love this……the mystery of the dark deep….and, always, the wonder!
Thank you, Sherry!
I love the mystery of the deep ocean where we humans are still strangers and are at risk.
Mystery and vulnerability are key, aren’t they?
I love this poem – I really got swept along with the description
Thank you! I was really swept along when I first read about those fish!
A beautiful image and concept. I’m taken with the idea of building islands rather than counting time.
Thanks, Chrissa. Yes, I find that can be a real rabbit hole if I contemplate for too long! 🙂
I love learning new things, especially when such things remind us of the power of perseverance, so thank you.
You’ve shared so many lines and concepts I love, in this poem–the innocence of childhood, the seeing of an adult, the two merging to spread hope, what hope does for the future and for the ones who will build it.
One thing I love about poetry is how I can learn new things about my own poems (and self) from other readers. Thanks for giving me more to discover!
I was captivated by the wonder of your words and the back story of how the poem came to be. I guess it doesn’t matter whether one flies or float as long as one can open wings there is hope.
Thank you, Truedessa. Many blessings on your wings.
nice fantasy poem. and i love your page’s images.
Thank you so much!
The whole parrot thing is amazing. The earth is ablaze with such wonders. There is much to think about in this poem.
The earth is truly amazing – an endless source of fascinating, genius and miraculous things to learn about.
So many wonders in this amazing world. So much more to see ad learn
Love this and it made me smile all the way through, the hourglass, the child and the question about floating or flying.
I love this for so many reasons – the beauty of the woven words, the hope, the imagery, the creativity. Such wonderful writing.
Thank you, Myrna. 🙂
This is incredibly gorgeous!!
This is incredibly gorgeous!! 🙂
Thank you, Sanaa! 🙂
A wonderful poem, underpinned by a delightful fantasy … which becomes something more – a metaphor, perhaps, for human dreams and strivings.
Thank you, Rosemary. I love it when fantasy turns into something real.
The image of sand being more useful than time is so well inserted. After reading your notes and then your beautiful poem.
Bravo!!!
Happy you dropped by my sumie Sunday today
Much❤❤love
Thank you, Gillena. And it is always a pleasure!
Long may the winged ones rise up and delight the child within us–while adding needed sand to our shores!
Long live the winged ones!
A lovely inspired analogy … beautifully rendered. A pleasure to read!
This was the just the hopeful bit of joy I needed to read today. I love how fanciful it is and I love how reading it made me fill like a wonder-filled child again.
Rommy, I’m so glad. And actually, your comment was just the hopeful bit of joy I needed this morning, so thank you!
The idea of an angel living on the ocean floor is fascinating, and a good premise to explore. I like how the accidental messenger fits into the scheme of things. Brilliant write!
Thank you, Khaya!