Who walks in rivers.
The challenge is balance,
He says.
He takes his time,
Feels his way,
Stays on his feet.
I will try that in the Atlantic,
I thought.
For a change
I will not rise with the waves
Or dive into them.
I will forget everything
I know about swimming,
Watch the waves,
And stay on my feet.
There will be
No going under today.
The waves pushed;
I stepped back.
The current pulled;
I stepped forward.
I watched the horizon
As it rolled into me
And I rolled into it.
I thought I heard a whisper;
It was my own breathing.
39 Comments
very well written sandy.
ReplyDeletei like these lines:
The waves pushed;
I stepped back.
The current pulled;
I stepped forward.
powerful, so much meaning-it is life.
ReplyDeleteFor some time, I haven't visited your site. As I read some of your posts today, I ask myself how I could have overlooked them. I love your blog and will be a regular visitor. Promise.
ReplyDeleteYour post took me back. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and thoughts as always and a wonderful way to start my day! You never fail to inspire, Sandy! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Wow...lovely words..Last para is brilliant
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely in a pensive state of mind here Sandy. Nice work with the prompt. I especially liked the last 4 lines. Many hugs...
ReplyDeleteGreat plan!
ReplyDeleteInspirational, absolutely. Love it.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, I couldn't do that. I only dip my toes in the Atlantic (Cape Cod anyway)--too cold!
Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was cold!
ReplyDeleteLovely poem. I enjoyed that.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Splendid! That's pretty much how one should live life, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteNifty words Sandy.
ReplyDeleteThis was like a meditation.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful thoughts and words. Pensive, but profound.
ReplyDeleteI felt I was trying to balance and holding my breath as I read.
ReplyDeleteMagic words and a great scene. Off my shore is a gentler expanse - the North Sea. It's even named after me ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! A wonderful description of the power of the ocean! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteHey! My fiber piece is installed!! Come see!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Beautiful words Sandy, I love the last two lines:
ReplyDeleteI thought I heard a whisper;
It was my own breathing.
Beautifully written! =)
ReplyDelete-Weasel
beautiful story , well said!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully told..
ReplyDeletea trophy
a lovely tale.. yes.. :) following in another's footsteps can make one pensive I guess :)
ReplyDeleteWonderfully put...
ReplyDeleteI held my breathe too, as you stepped back and forth in the waves...
Held my breathe too as the thought process was unfolding in your mind...
ReplyDeleteSandy, I have read much of your writing in the past and I have to tell you, I really feel the depth of this poem :)
ReplyDeleteBalance - probably the most difficult mean of movement, yet the most successful.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good new week.
daily athens
Fantastic from the first line on through to the end. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteBrave of you to take on an ocean.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful little ditty, Sandy. I kept waiting for your writer to be pulled down but it didn't happen. :)
ReplyDeleteIt also reminded me of a short movie I watched on PBS last night called "Salt." It had a cast of one, a fellow riding his bicycle pulling a trailer across a dried up salt lake.
His purpose was to find a place devoid of landscape features so he could photograph the heavens. One showed the Big Bipper going around the North Star.
I would recommend it highly.
http://video.pbs.org/video/1567694583/
(paste into your browser)
..
Very nice indeed! I like the image
ReplyDelete"I watched the horizon
As it rolled into me
And I rolled into it."
Wonderful images and words. Thank you for that wonderful read!
ReplyDeleteAnd when one starts hearing her breathing.... she is floating.
ReplyDelete.... And no going under today!
I watched the horizon
ReplyDeleteAs it rolled into me
And I rolled into it.
These lines bowled me over.. beautiful, this!
And Sandy.. thanks for your visit and your good wishes..be there to inspire always..
A fine poem!! So visual and vibrant - it moves with energy and thought.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteand i feel as though there is much here...
Liked your poem and photos. I'm going to have to visit Top Sail
ReplyDeleteOh beautiful! One with the waves, the horizon, and one is tempted to think, the all that is.
ReplyDeleteLoved the final lines, like a whisper of one's own breathing.
So many great lines in this poem Sandy- great metaphors for life as well. I loved "there will be no going under today" Perfect for school- on the part of the kids and teachers! Have a wonderful tomorrow~~~
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.