In the Streets Beneath the Ocean by John W. Sexton
by Steven McCabe
in the streets beneath the ocean
on her coral chair
the fishes whisper secrets
beneath her seaweed hair
she’s got a tumour in her head
that’s a glowing pearl
she’s a strange strange strange
underwater girl
in the streets beneath the ocean
she combs her seaweed hair
the dolphins bring her children
that have drowned down there
and she makes them coats from sailors’ skin
gives them gold from sailors’ teeth
taken from the sunken ships
wrecked upon the reef
I caught her in a dream one time
or maybe she caught me
took me from my sleeping brain
into the deepest sea
gave me seven kisses
and seven cups of wine
promised me promised me
that she’d be mine
in the streets beneath the ocean
the moon is never seen
it does its work in secret
like an unremembered dream
and all the children dance around
and all the children sing
and the sea queen waits
to see what the sea will bring
in the streets beneath the ocean
on her coral chair
the fishes whisper secrets
beneath her seaweed hair
she’s got a tumour in her head
that’s a glowing pearl
she’s a strange strange strange
underwater girl
recorded by Cannery Row for their cd No Homes, under the title Underwater Girl and from the collection Petit Mal, The Revival Press
John W. Sexton’s mind was poured into his body in 1958; since then his life has been dedicated to poetry.
The impression made upon me by John W. Sexton’s poem is not only the feeling happening secretly in streets beneath the ocean but also the reminders of another dark reality. The calming rhythm of the poem is punctuated with images suddenly curving into view. This inspired my sense of exploring the unknown with visual intuition.
poemimage 
Just wonderful through and through.
Hi Vensan, thanks so much. Glad you feel this way about the combination of poetry and image. I love the poem!
Such complex layers to these images, Steven. I really like the almost metallic patina they seem to have as well. Lots of tension and lots of “slippage” as my old painting professor would say.
Hi Jack. Thanks for your thought.
Maybe what you’re seeing is because I’ve worked a bit more drawing (from the tablet) into them (?). Maybe my style has changed since I last put up a poemimage! Haven’t posted in a while & I”m looking forward to seeing the pages I regularly check out (yours included!).
You’ll have to tell me sometime what ‘slippage’ refers to. What an intriguing word in terms of visual art.
I am stunned by this poem — and your images — just stunned. My dear friend, Tanya Ward Goodman told me that I HAD to see them and read it, and I am just sitting her stunned. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth and thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts. That’s very generous of you to say so and I appreciate that the word/text ‘flow’ impacts you strongly. Nice to have one’s work appreciated!
Outstandingly lyrical, in words and images. Spun gold.
You have outdone yourself, Steven.
Karen as always thank you for your thoughts. As for my half of it all I do admit to feeling some winds lifting my drawing arm.