147: The Titan in the Room

Sitting at your window we watch the water rise

in blue waves like those in Mediterranean bays

that lap against the doorframe one floor down

and slowly fill the basement and living room

until it caresses the crystal chandelier

we never knew we had, and whispers

up the stairs to rest its head

upon the doorway to your room.

Like a gentle Titan, risen from the waves,

he watches us with kind curiosity and you

rest your head against the side of the window

while I undo the latches

and let the warm air fill your room, dusting it with salt

and seagulls' screams and the smoke of scorched scallops

seasoned with stinging spices harvested from the edges

of your shore.

Despondent, you rest your gaze on nothing, and I find it a miracle

that it does not plummet, like victims of physics often do.

But you do not move and you do not smile and the blue reflection

of water on your face is darker

than the Mediterranean bay —

like the invisible depths of the Mariana trench

where only unknown species, pale with jagged teeth

and glowing eyes, roam the stones and grey corals

and occasional outdated aluminium cans.

Empty.

And yet your thoughts must roam, like currents of cold,

slowly heated until they rise

or are caught in the tremors of the depths and drown

unknowing mortals with waves

that dwarf the Titans.

Gently! Gently! they pray as they fall, victims to the physics

that you defy.

Gently you turn

and look the Titan in the eye.

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Written by: Katrine Hjulstad

Instagram: @katrinehjulstad

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Note: The Ancient Greek Titan Ωκεανος (Oceanus) has been depicted as a sea-god or the sea personified. He is notable for participating neither in the castration of Ouranos nor the war against the Olympian gods.

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Publisher's note: Please note that all poetry published with Eudaemonia Records has been seen by our editors, and that the editors have suggested revisions where they see fit, but we believe that it is ultimately the writer's decision to accept or reject any suggestions and take no responsibility for which suggestions they accept or reject.