One Single Impression: One Word

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There are times
I cannot take the picture
Cannot ask the camera
And my own weak eye
To copy perfection

I give up
I forget about me
And the story
I would tell
If I could
As if it were mine
To tell

Of the curl of the wave
That moment when the
Top of the wave emerges from its body
Before it dives head first
Into its own great self
Before the shattering
Before the mess of white foam
Before the noise

In this moment
The wave is only the wave--
Not rock or sand or sound or sea or air

My heart stops
And I won't breathe

Until the moment repeats itself

Even as the noise and the foam engulf me.

The "one word" of this poem is wave, of course. Last week as I stood on the beach over and over again, I watched the waves roll in. It seemed to me there is some magic that shapes each wave out of the vast and mysterious, endlessly moving, and richly alive ocean. I played a game with my camera, trying to capture the precise moment the wave seemed to have a mind of its own and consciously decide to return to the sea--as if having stretched out and taken in the light of day in a matter of seconds it was right and good to slip back to the beginning. I never got what I wanted with my camera; I really didn't care because in the end it didn't matter.

One Single Impression

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59 Comments

  1. that is where we are headed this weekend. woot.

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  2. I like waves too. It's pleasant to watch the waves on the beach: they are so charming!
    Have a good Sunday!

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  3. I like that poem. It's very nice.

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  4. Love the huge crest of the waves!

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  5. Great interpretation of this prompt Sandy. I love the ocean and the waves are so soothing...never tire of the beauty to be found on the shoreline.


    PS: RE: OSI, Mr. Linky is not showing up over there, in case you aren't aware of this. I would appreciate you adding my link from my ONE WORD post if you add Mr. L at a later time. Ill probably be offline tomorrow. Thanks.

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  6. I know the attraction well. I've been trying for that same shot for years.

    Maybe next time, eh?

    Always look forward to these form you Sandy. And happy to hear you're back safe and sound.

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  7. Magic would be my word, as this is a very magical poem that captures the wave -- or the feelings behind it. Ahhh creation, how the mind does enjoy what the eyes behold --- magic.

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  8. They can be mesmerising. Loved this.

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  9. how lovely that poem was
    thanks for sharing
    have a great day and happy blogging

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  10. that magical moment...

    simply magic

    *planning to go to the beach the very next weekend*

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  11. waves and more. Its indeed like a love story, always vibrant.

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  12. Even the best camera can not give you what your eye can see so well!
    excellent poem.

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  13. It is so true! This poem says exactly how disappointing it is to try capturing that single moment of beauty, which passes so quickly. Very great poem Sandy! Thanks!

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  14. That's beautiful. I love watching the waves. It's calming to the senses.

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  15. lovely photo, it's so peaceful to just watch it come and go...

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  16. This post with your poem is the perfect way to start my Sunday. Thanks.

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  17. Beautiful, the poem and the waves. Very relaxing.

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  18. I have never thought about a wave as having a full life. I can see it now. I guess that is why some people are drawn to the ocean. It gives them comfort knowing that no matter what life goes on over and over again.

    Your poem is very good. Very thought provoking.

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  19. I am with you in this poem. I know what you speak of.

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  20. I can watch the waves in the ocean for hours without tiring from the sight.

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  21. Love your words of poetry and prose, and the image, too - about a truly mesmerizing moment in nature. Very eloquent!

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  22. A great poem, it really evokes for me all the emotions of watching the waves. Although, I think your camera may have just caught that illusive moment in the wave in the background of the picture, which has only just begun to curl in one tiny spot.

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  23. Only the eye is perfect
    For it shows the things
    that are not there

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  24. Your words in poetry and the tale that follows feel so full of presence; presence of your time at the beach, your experience with the waves, your playful experiment, your deep awareness, that my spirit is more present at this moment. Thank you.

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  25. Anonymous1:07 PM

    I've always loved watching waves break. you are right - there's something mysterious and deep.

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  26. ..one ocean~one wave ~out of many-its 'state of being ' - and one earth_

    "The wave is only the wave--
    Not rock or sand or sound or sea or air"-beautiful

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  27. Very powerful poem -- I especially love now you described the wave 'before it dives head first into its own great self'

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  28. Excellent photo. Really nicely done
    Thank you for sharing, great photoblog :)

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  29. love your meditation on a 'wave'. very nicely done!

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  30. This is beautiful Sandy..love the capture-

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  31. Just a super lovely poem to go with yoru wave photo. Next to playing in the snow, my favorite thing to do is go to the beach for just this reason.

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  32. the waves inspire me every single time

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  33. What a great poem and pictures to go with! You capture the great frustration all photgraphers feel at times!

    Great job! Keep it coming

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  34. It's so hard for me to quell the desire to translate everything into picture and words even though the most exquisite things in this world don't translate well. We record so we won't feel like the moment is lost.

    I love the stratus of white breakers and the happy being in the center of it.

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  35. Lovely poem-and a good point for us bloggers-sometimes we need to be reminded to live in the moment instead of trying so hard to document it.

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  36. I love the horizontal gray lines of the photo and the deep rich thoughts in the poem. Sorry I haven't been around lately. I haven't forgotten you or OSI. I hope to post again soon.

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  37. Wonderfully well done - the imagery is vivid and thoughtful!

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  38. This perfect moment cannot be freeze framed. Only lived. Thank you for this exquisite poem.

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  39. Gave me the "Sitting on the dock of the bay"-felling :-) . Congrats with the POTD!

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  40. You may think that your camera failed you (I do disagree, though!), but your words convey what you were "seeing" and feeling beautifully!

    Congratulations on being the winner of David's Authorblog Post of the Day Award! :-)

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  41. Hey Sandi, I am so glad you are back and blogging.
    Congratulations on David's POTD.
    I love the poem, and the picture and what you said. Some things can be captured in the Camera, they are so beautiful (like the picture you took), but some times you FEEL a feel. That feel cannot be captured by a camera, or conveyed via words, or even painted. Those moments can only be felt, then they become memories.
    Lovely post Sandi !!!

    innerfeelings.blogspot.com

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  42. Certain moments can be terribly overwhelming.

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  43. Beautiful poem, Sandy ... and awe-inspiring photo reflecting God's Glory in the Highest!

    Sincerely,

    Janie

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  44. Anonymous8:10 AM

    I know the feeling, Sandy. A good choice of words.

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  45. This is just beautiful! I can almost feel the serenity of it all and the soothing rhythm of the waves :)

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  46. Sandy, This is absolutely beautiful...the photo and the poem...I love the imagery of the wave crashing into itself...you do indeed bring a poet's perspective to your camera. And I'm in awe of your skills, and through you, once more of the power of the sea! Congratulations on POTD...I am honored to "know" you! Blessings! Janine XO

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  47. it's a very calming thing to watch isn't it? congrats on POTD

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  48. Lovely, lovely poem, Sandy. Congrats on POTD; well deserved!

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  49. Such a wonderful poem.

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  50. Very powerful imagery, congrats!

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  51. I love watching and listening to the waves; I could do it endlessly- I think it is my Piscean nature. You captured their essence perfectly!

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  52. Hi Sandy--
    Impermanance, impermanance, impermanance!

    Really liked your poem and process.

    Thanks!

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  53. Thanks for stopping by at my page and leaving your views and also for liking the picture... :)

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  54. I have been missing your blog for sometime Sandy...the followup link was lost :)

    Nice poem, as always Sandy
    Wave is a symbol of life --rise and fall...and the impermancence of it all, i think...a wave particle transacends as part of a whole wave...incessant impermanence,

    wishes,
    devika

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  55. Oh Sandy, go ahead and click it anyway! You will be sooooo glad you did a little bit later. And again later, then later, and later ...

    Thank's for putting my OSI link in Mr. Linky. Would you please do it for me again this week if it isn't asking too much?
    I am in Andorra and did get to post my little ditty for "Word" but I am not sure I can use this computer again in the morning to catch Mr. Linky. (If you see me in, then just a big thank you anyway and I was glad to save your time. You keep busy, very busy!)
    ..

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  56. Anonymous9:17 AM

    "Of the curl of the wave
    That moment when the
    Top of the wave emerges from its body
    Before it dives head first
    Into its own great self
    Before the shattering
    Before the mess of white foam
    Before the noise"


    I have experienced as much. My childhood remembered. Yet, in that moment, in my haste to express the rush in my breast, the overwhelming joy struggling inside, the right words did not come. And now, another soul experience the same, it comes to remind me.

    Thank you.

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Thanks for being here.