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Notes About The Poem

Ball’s Pyramid is the world’s tallest volcanic stack. It is part of the Lord Howe Island Marine Park, which is recorded by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of global natural significance.

Written 29th August, 2026 entered in Boulevard of the Beloved Poetry Contest sponsored by Ink Empress

Ball's Pyramid

Born of fire. 
          Black water.
                  A singular spine—

I learned how to live unkissed, until...

The Tasman bared its teeth,
          A cold, crushing mouth.

The moon is an honest Manipulator,

pulling the tide 
          like a noose.
                 grinding the heavy ocean 
                                against my spine.
White surf choking 
          my basalt throat.

The sky tears open,

it's raining roses and love riots,

soft ruin 
          on wet basalt.

Let the gale howl 
          its wrath.
                Against my ledges.

I filled the night's chalice with knots of desire.

        The tempest cracks 
                    over the peak—

Tie me to your Tongue;

make the storm's voice 
          the only thing
                  holding me above the waves.

A fossil of fire.
          That gouged the dark.

I ask the heavy air:

                                   If time turns, will scars stain the sky?

oceanstrengthvoiceweatherfree verse

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