Looked the same
And taught the same lesson
To fisherman, seafarers,
Children in small boats, and us:
Behind me is the harbor you seek
But first:
Worse than the tumult of waves,
The still and silent blaze of the sun,
The lonely cries of grey skies
And thirst
Are rocks that will rip you apart
If you are careless
If you look away
If you forget where you are.
Between here and home
Is your greatest danger.
Bow your head.
Watch where you pass
Or be taken down
Between the rolling grandeur of the sea
And the hard earth that
Stops the melody
With a clap
That embraces
What it does not kill.
36 Comments
That fine line between so many exciting things.
ReplyDeleteSanta Cartoon Riddle
Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love
"Stops the melody
With a clap"
I've seen lots of melodies stopped with a clap.
How beautiful, and so true...thank you for the pleasure of reading this!
ReplyDeleteSandi
Thanks for all the truths contained within this beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem
ReplyDeleteKate x
and such is the metaphor for Life. Great read and imagery Sandy- thanks~ Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh wow oh wow oh wow... I got goosebumps from this. For real. Which isn't unheard of, but isn't at all common.
ReplyDeleteWhat an image. And what an ending. Very Nietzsche!
I am awed Sandy. Simply awed. I expected to be wowed, especially when I saw the prompt, but even then I wasn't fully prepared.
I like what you've done with this prompt. So true too...
ReplyDeleteI always think it is amazing how lighthouses are so intriguing. I think of them as a combination of Mother and Father. Strong yet the soft light that guides you through the rough waters of life, always there for you.
ReplyDeleteSandy, you always amaze me with your fine poems. I like so much the image The lonely cries of grey skies.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and powerful poem. Those rocks..........
ReplyDeleteNuts in May
it relates to life also...
ReplyDeleteYou painted a vivid photo in my mind! :)
ReplyDeleteI will put this poem next to my fathers light house
ReplyDeleteSandy: That was a neat poem on the lighthouse and its directions.
ReplyDeleteIt's always difficult to navigate the rocks if we are not warying. The lighthouse is the beacon guiding the way. I enjoyed this one Sandy.
ReplyDeleteEspecially powerful ending, Sandy
ReplyDeleteAloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
I was in the Navy for 13 years. Coming in to port was always the time of highest tension.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you know it, but you have captured the essence of it.
Thanks!
-Greg
.
When I was a kid, my mom and dad had us out on the boat in the Sound all the time. I didn't get the whole danger thing, but that very dramatic slowing down always got me.
ReplyDeleteThe experience became for me a metaphor of coming home, how hard that can be to accept that people know us well--flaws and all--and their knowledge can derail our sense of ourselves. Coming home takes a whole lot of humility. Not everyone is up for the task.
Thanks for stopping here. Your words always mean a lot to me.
Stops the melody
ReplyDeleteWith a clap
That embraces
What it does not kill.
Wonderful words
This is a great metaphor for life in general.
ReplyDeletea light house becomes our saving device when we are lost in the tumultuous sea!
ReplyDeletewonderful take on the prompt Sandy!
Great words with a very true warning.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful imagery...those scary rocks are always looming. You expressed yourself in a beautiful way -- thanks for sharing your words!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed. The final stanza is one that will stay with me for a long time!
ReplyDeletewow, there is a rhythm and strength to your words that held me steady through this poem, wonderful!
ReplyDeletedid I hear whispers that you have had a birthday recently? I wish you a wonderful new year. May your year overflow with beauty, smiles, health, grace, love and blessings. May your dreams come true and more.
such a powerful metaphor here. loved the rhythm of the poem too. amazing we can all relate to the lighthouse :-)
ReplyDeleteYour poem shows so well your own personal experience with the sea. I agree that it is one that inspires thought.
ReplyDeletenever look back. never look away. the sea like germs and air, doesn't have an invested interest in outcomes.
ReplyDelete.. beautifully written ..
ReplyDeleteWe do really need to respect the power of the sea. It is really grand! Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteSandy, all I can say is Wow. Just a powerful and strong words that flow like the incoming tides, Well done.
ReplyDeletelove, Melanie
Great lines, your poem.
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded -- There is home. There is the light. But as we journey, there are bumps down the road and choices to make. One must be vigilant and wise.
Thanks for your post, Sandy.
Hi Sandy, you have painted that sea very nicely, it is an unforgiving teacher for the sailors.
ReplyDelete..
Between here and home
ReplyDeleteIs your greatest danger.
Thanks for sharing with us what your poem draws from.
Thanks for being here.