We drove sixty miles to see
The beached carcass of a whale.
It lay on the shore
Like a discarded undergarment
The ocean’s shameful secret brought to light.
It’s entrails like glistening boulders
Were spread upon the sand
Bloated and clearly rotting
In the midday sun.
All the fine ladies of Southampton
Sipping their chardonnay and speaking of modern art
Sitting with cellulite thighs crossed
On the back porches their alabaster “cottages”
Shrugged off the glares of the locals
But could not rid their illustrious dinner parties
Of whale stink.
"Ruin" was originally published in Manuscript and has been reprinted with permission from the editor. The publication is a student-produced literary and fine arts magazine. To request a copy or to submit written pieces or artwork,e-mail Manuscript editors Gloria Jimenez (jimenezg@carleton.edu) or Gwen Kirby (kirbyg@carleton.edu).