At the Green Ocean’s Navel

I wonder what place he has

in fish folk-lore,

he who was thrown back in.

They see him swimming around

with a gash in his cheek;

crusted, where the hook tore.

He is somewhat estranged from

the school — it goes without saying

not to talk of the sky.

But every young fishling wonders

what it was like;

what he saw as he choked for air.

Every young fishling almost wishes

it was them.

Almost.

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Information

Title: At the Green Ocean’s Navel

Genre: Free verse

Age range: Any

Word count: 75 words

Author name: Charlie Williams

Why my project is a good fit: This poem is easily accessible but carries a good deal of symbolic meaning for the deep thinking reader.

The hook: I think the hook is in the ending, repeating the word almost will have the reader wondering about the poem after reading.

Synopsis: The poem takes the interesting and hitherto unexplored concept of the fish who was thrown back into the water prior to catching, using it as a metaphor for people in life that have had scarring or traumatic experiences. The other fish (or people) see the victim swimming around, and partly long for an experience that sets them apart from their peers, but not quite. They are not truly willing to go through so hard a journey for a relatively insignificant glory or recognition.

Target audience: sufferers of trauma, poetry lovers, philosophical thinkers

Bio: I’m a twenty year old poet from Sydney who has only started seriously writing in 2020. I have been reading much poetry this year and am currently compiling an anthology, as well as my own first collection of poems.

Platform: I have shared poems on instagram under the name poetoffpaper, as well as owning accounts on Prose and Allpoetry. Otherwise I have been largely undiscovered, and am hoping for a chance to break through!

Education: I am currently halfway through a Psychology and Primary Education degree at Macquarie University, Sydney.

Experience: Inexperienced, but passionate about poetry.

Personality/writing style: I’m optimistic and curious, but also slightly anxious. My writing style is mainly free flowing and attempts to pack ideas into accessible verse. My main influencers range from Ted Kooser, Jack Underwood, Walt Whitman, Les Murray to many other poets.

Likes/hobbies: I like running and reading, going to the beach and learning. I find poetry often comes to me freely when I am in nature. I also love a beer.

Hometown: Northern Beaches, Sydney.

Age: 20 (November 14, 1999).