Lillian is hosting ~~ high time/tide for 'Poetics' in the dVerse Poets Pub!
The ocean calls me, vast and deep
pulling me close, pushing me away
its waves crash with the voice of thunder
reminding me of all that I fear ~~
depths unknown, currents unseen
darkness that swallows.
Swells rise, threaten to pull me under
I stand at the shore, toes sinking in the sand
silent edge where fear meets courage.
Water's touch teases my skin
a shiver of hesitation
but also a whisper ~~
Dare to step in .. dare to step in.
A simple pure and powerful encounter with Old Mother. Fantastic refrain at the end.
ReplyDeleteooh I love the repetition at the end....and these words
ReplyDelete"I stand at the shore, toes sinking in the sand
silent edge where fear meets courage."
Yep....that's the moment when you must decide. Dive in or not! And even harder when the water is cold!
Dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteSuch a powerful—honest and beautiful poem.
Indeed, dare to step in!
Hugs,
Mariette
I really love the line “pulling me close, pushing me away”. Just like the ocean.
ReplyDeleteThunderous...then ebbing away....descriptive in powerful ways, tapping into fears, but also deep psychology, philosophy, echoed in those last lines, repeated ...a swirl of emotion, but also sensual, and almost like a long haiku; an intense moment.
ReplyDeleteYou captured the rhythm of the ocean in this poem, Helen, especially in the repeated phrases and the lines:
ReplyDelete‘depths unknown, currents unseen
darkness that swallows’,
and the sensual appeal of:
‘Water's touch teases my skin
a shiver of hesitation
but also a whisper ‘.
Yes, step in!! I was recently on a rocky stretch of Lake Huron but still went in and others wouldn't. How can one resist ?
ReplyDeleteI love how you capture the pull of the sea as well as the fear of the darkness beneath.
ReplyDeleteI like the ocean from a distance, I don't like to be in the water
ReplyDeleteThis poem subverts the usual pleasure and excitement of being at the seaside and holds up a dark mirror to fears of the unknown whilst capturing the feel and rhythm of the waves - marvellous, Helen...
ReplyDeleteThe ocean is a scary encounter at times, you have described that feeling of the push and pull of that fear and mirror the sound in the rhythm. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteYes dare to step in...the water feels invigorating even with the wild waves. I love to swim in the ocean there is a sense of freedom and once a dolphin swam along my side. Fantastical experience. Truedessa
ReplyDeleteThis is breathtakingly beautiful, Helen! Yes, I say we dare and step into the water!❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me you've always been one who dared to jump in, Helen :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ending on this, Helen. Although I can swim, I only get to my waist in the ocean.
ReplyDelete