Whale Blood

Whale Blood Poem

My body tells a story

Spiderweb lace and coral bleed streak my skin

I am inked over with a dilution of time.

The rains come

Like kisses showered upon the weeping bride

It lashes the roiling water.

I feel the pull of land

It tempts the ever-breaking wave with

Promises of home.

Sunlight pierces the depths spreading liquid lightning

Current races toward the shoreline

I stagnate; linger in whirlpool that

Tears the violet tears from me.

Sea foam traces narrative on my belly

Ocean dances in my eyes

The horizon rises out of ash behind me

I dive toward the future.


Photo by Iswanto Arif

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50 Comments

  1. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    As soon as I read the first words “My body tells a story” I immediately thought of your magic with words: you really know how to tell stories with all of yourself, body and soul!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      How stunning a comment, Claudia! Thank you.

  2. jonicaggiano

    Incredibly visual and one can feel the pull of the waves. Beautiful! Hugs, Joni

  3. dispeller

    First time reading your work, and wow! Your use of language is enchanting, mystic and full of flare. x

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much! I am delighted you enjoyed ‘Whale Blood’ and found my writing style compelling.

  4. aimsysantics

    What beautiful imagery! It makes me think of the journey of overcoming a problem and all that it entails. Beautiful!
    Aimsy xoxo

  5. Michael

    Nice one….✍️

  6. merrildsmith

    Beautiful imagery!

  7. Karima Hoisan

    Beautifully chosen wording and imagery that puts the reader at sea level watching this magnificent creature, just be. inside his ambiance, still alive and free. You transported me with this one Jaya..
    On July 8th I do another reading.. My last poem is entitled Whale Song, I wrote it back in 2011, I will dedicate it to you, Jaya. a fellow lover and witness of whales/.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Karima! You make my heart swell. I just love that your poem is called Whale Song. How fitting is that?!

  8. radiosarahc

    The imagery in this is so beautiful xxx

  9. Daily Poetry

    Beautiful poem, every line breathes life into it. You caught the essence of the whale perfectly, Jaya.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much for this lovely read!

  10. Fritzie

    Such a beautiful poem Jaya! I’m also glad that it ended in a positive note. Yes… let’s dive into the future!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Yes, Fritzie! Love your enthusiasm.

  11. Jeff Flesch

    Every line is sublime, within a write that speaks to me of a metamorphosis of sorts, and a transformational moment that may lie in the near future. Gorgeous!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Loving the way you interpreted this, Jeff! Thank you for sharing.

  12. KK

    I liked every line of this beautiful poem. Well penned 👌💐

  13. D. Wallace Peach

    Your imagery is beautiful, Jaya, and there’s so much raw intensity in this poem. I was glad it ended on a positive note because I wasn’t sure it was going there. Wonderful poem.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thanks deeply! xx

  14. Staarlz

    WOW, this is phenomenal!!

  15. rothpoetry

    Sometimes diving into the future is like jumping off a cliff and being in free fall. Great poem.

  16. readandreviewit1

    This is such a stunning piece! I love the imagery throughout – spiderweb lace and coral bleed streak my skin in particular really stood out to me – and I love how hopeful and uplifting the final line is. Thank you so much for sharing x

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank YOU so much for reading! xx

  17. Annabel

    You’re a natural poet full of beautiful imagination and poetic flare, Jaya !🌻 A skillful work that humanised the spirit of a whale, in which we can relate and are in awe 💗

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you for sharing this beautiful comment, Annabel!

  18. SelmaMartin

    Rains, like kisses? I l i k e that. So lovely lines throughout. Xoxo

  19. Ingrid

    I feel the strength of the whale in your strong words, Jaya!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love that, Ingrid! Thank you. xx

  20. Daphny Aqua

    What an imagery Jaya, truly a beauty.

  21. Obong eno

    The picture is woow❤️

    1. Jaya Avendel

      It truly is a beautiful image!

  22. Michele Lee

    Jaya, not only are you a talented writer, but you are a whale whisperer! You truly took on the spirit of that magnificent mammal of the sea. 🐳

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Michele, for your enjoyment of this poem!

  23. Her Digital Coffee

    What a beautiful piece Jaya. I love the descriptions of the water, I feel like I’m there! Thank you for sharing!

  24. ivor20

    From beyond the deep blue sea, your finale stanza summarised my emotions perfectly…

    “Sea foam traces narrative on my belly
    Ocean dances in my eyes
    The horizon rises out of ash behind me
    I dive toward the future.”

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Ivor! I just love seeing which words you connected with most.

      1. ivor20

        And I love reading your words 💕🤗🌏

      2. ivor20

        I love reading your words

  25. Jodie | That Happy Reader

    This is such a powerful piece Jaya! I love “The rains come Like kisses showered upon the weeping bride”…. Beautiful! I also enjoyed seeing and hearing you earlier this week reciting your poem over Zoom. You did such an amazing job!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Aw, thank you, Jodi! I am so, so happy you came to watch and listen!!

  26. Cindy Georgakas

    Such beautiful imagery Jaya and these lines are so beautiful!

    💖💖💖

    “Spiderweb lace and coral bleed streak my skin

    I am inked over with a dilution of time.

    The rains come

    Like kisses showered upon the weeping bride

    It lashes the roiling water.”

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Cindy!

      1. Cindy Georgakas

        You’re so welcome Jaya! Please lmk you saw me in reader today as I think i’m back to wp issues maybe. ugh 💖🙏🙏

        1. Jaya Avendel

          As a matter of fact, I have not seen you in the reader today! I do hope whatever the trouble is gets fixed soon, though. 💖

          1. Cindy Georgakas

            Thanks so much for letting me know Jaya!!
            💖🙏
            I do too!!!
            💖

  27. K.Hartless

    Epic verse, Jaya. The last line, empowering.

    1. Unwanted Life

      Another fantastic poem. I especially like the line, “I am inked over with a dilution of time”. It first made me think of my tattoos. Then it got me thinking about pirates because they’re often pictured with tattoos, and they sailed the high seas. Then lastly, it got me thinking about octopuses, because they can squirt ink, which lead to me thinking about the kraken and cthulhu. One line in your poem had my mind connecting a lot of related dots

      1. Jaya Avendel

        Wow, what an awesome thought train brought to life by a single line! I am so grateful you shared it with me; it highlights the importance of how every word in a poem plays an interconnected role!

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