When I first saw this image of egg-shaped ice balls, I found myself imagining their texture . . . Would they feel like pebbles? Would they start to melt?
The comparison of their form to an egg, led me to wonder what might hatch and what if it were dangerous?
Apparently, the ice balls find their shape when turbulent water breaks up a layer of slushy ice on the shore and the layers stick and build up in the cold water. When powerful waves come along, they spin and sculpt the ice.
Thanks must go to my husband, George, for drawing my attention to the image and accompanying news article, which can be read here. George set me a poetry challenge, which I have answered, below.
Sea-felled Fruits
November 2019 and egg-shaped ice balls are piling up on a Finnish beach, on the island of Hailuoto.
Sea-felled fruits holding ever afters
implore my fingers to test their smooth.
If they can be gathered, as shells are,
I will assemble an ice-blood army.
K. S. Moore
Photo by Sirpa Tero
