On the Rocks: Jean Mazlymian, York University

On the Rocks

After Melancholy, by Edvard Munch

JEAN MAZLYMIAN, YORK UNIVERSITY

He sat on the rocks by the shore Staring at the sea

The waves pulsating, Encroaching upon The torn sands, A dark and muted brown reaching greater and greater Lengths with each attempt

And the shifting sands beneath him Become amorphous Engulfed by the Waves swirling, Tearing at the shore and Pulling back into the light blue expanse

Two People, dressed proper, stood on the dock Paying no mind to the man on the rocks As they entered a small rowboat

The waves crashed against the rocks Indifferent to him As he sat above

He thought about walking Onto the shore, and pushing through the forceful waves, Reaching a place where he could no longer Feel the sand beneath his feet

He would lay back As if he were weightless Letting the water carry him further And further away from shore Until the sea was calm,

He’d hear The soothing sounds of the ocean And gaze at the sky, with hints of swirling yellow Blue and green from the The dimly setting sun Watching the white birds Glide in the wind