On the Sea of Wonder
the boat I row is small.
No sooner had I set sail
than I wished for landfall
but I won't head back to shore
for now I'll drift - explore
feel the might of the swell
and the heave of my oar
struck deep in the tide
of possibility
listen to the gulls cry
and watch them soar
letting this sailor know
- Land ho!
The soft glow of harbour lights
kitchen smells
from a small and welcoming bar
where you are.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Not sure of your direction
You have begun on the Sea of Wonder, a place that is new territory for you. You state your uncertainty but determination to explore this new location (emotion). But you return to the safety of the known without really involving your reader in what you have seen or learned or done. You are peacefully returning to a person but from where? And why is this return better than the Sea of Wonder for you.
This is an exploratory for a poem that hasn't been written as yet.
. Rewarded 8
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I really liked it, i've never really been out on a boat on the ocean, the big blue, only lake michigan. Yet I felt like I was on a boat coming in from sea for dinner and beer, or more. But I enjoyed this plenty, and felt it though there's only little imagery. Hard thing to do. Nicely done.
MM
. Rewarded 6
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Myself, I love poems about the sea. This seems to be about setting sail even though your first feeling is wishing for the safety of landfall, but you stand tall and refuse to head for the shore. You decide to drift and explore the possibilities - of life, it seems to me. The best part is that you find your heart's content as you are drawn to:
"The soft glow of harbour lights
kitchen smells
from a small and welcoming bar
where you are."
In the end, you end up where you belong. You are lucky to have that. I loved the strength of your use of metaphor. Ultimately, I found this to be beautiful. You're lucky to know where you belong.
Butterfly
. Rewarded 8
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Glad you fluttered by, Butterfly.
Thanks for your perceptive comment here Butterfly, and for your good wishes. Yes, it's nice to know where you belong, but sometimes you have to venture out and see home from afar to appreciate it. My Best to You. >W<
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Like a good mystery
As I read this poem I was actively trying to determine what it was about. The fact that so many possibilities came across my mind speaks volumes on the depth and quality of language here. That alone is an achievement in my book. When I reached the end my focus was narrowed but, most importantly, it did not disappoint. It made the poem even better. When so much is left for the mind to interpret it becomes very easy to set up disappointment. No disappointment here, just a very well written and enjoyable poem. Excellent.
. Rewarded 8
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Easy and sweet... delightful
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It was Henry Thoreau who said...
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." It is Windhover who almost always says,"I lead a life of quiet hope." Both are right, I suppose, although my own temperament leans me to the former, but it's a wondrous breath of fresh air, along with "the might of the swell / and the heave of...oar", to enjoy this poem, John.
The poet, not overly brave on his Sea of Wonder, still muddles forward in his small boat, exploring his life, maybe even Life itself, before wisely heading to shore where "you are." But I suspect he'll be out again, and soon, on the water. My Sicilian-island blood is pulled into the float of this poem; it makes me long for water and all its possibilities.
Very very good poem for my reading, John.
Lad. Rewarded 8
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Cheers Lad
As you rightly guess Lad, I'm no sailorand the poem is indeed a metaphor. Its original inspiration was the advice of Julia Cameron to be brave with your writing and your life. It was also an excercise in just 'turning up at the page' and seeing what the hell happened! This did. Thanks for your sharp comment as always! >W<
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Forever the sailor ...
forever the sea ... I love poems on this topic! And you've penned this well. I also found the exit lines so precious: the homecoming to the beloved.
Well done.
Myra
. Rewarded 4
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An excellent write
Well firstly thats a great picture to go with the poem. An excellent job with rhyming and it all flowed through so well. A subject that comes through strongly. I have never been out on a boat and your poem only makes me look more forward to the day I do :-)
. Rewarded 6
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I'm no boat lover
Hey Cindyanne, thanks for commenting here. I don't actually like boats that much and the poem is more about being adventurous in your life and in your writing for me. The great thing about all adventuring however is homecoming. hence the image. Glad you liked it and thought it flowed. Thanks again for commenting. >W<
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hey john
glad to see you posting something its been awhile. wish i'k lived in an previous era-i'd trade my cell phone,computer, car etc. for a little dinghy. i think everyone was some kind of seaman in a past life and awoke the memory.
dave. Rewarded 4
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Hi Dave and thanks for reading and commenting here. I'm no lover of the sea except at a distance myself. But I do like to use it as metaphpor to an extent which surprises myself. I have been 'away' lately and I hope that's a temporary thing. This poem is a result of my re-reading my favourite book on writing (The Artists Way) and a visit to the page to see what turned up. This is what 'turned up'. It was a relief more than an achievement - but I'm pleased with it. Hope that makes some sense.
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