the log on the sea
doesn’t remember the axe
but it knows the bitter cut
of icy salt water
the salty sea
buoys the log
and doesn’t know the petals
of flame within the wood
waiting to be released
at high tide
there is little chance to
to wash ashore
at low tide
it will be swept out
among the seals
and the gulls
maybe
another beach
Tag: sea
diary (20210410)
last night was windy
not so windy that any trees
came down
not near our house anyway
and there wasn’t much
to move out of the road
a few sticks
a few small branches
pine cones
today the sea was dark
not wine dark
and while there are whales
near
it did not bring to mind
the whale-path or swan-road
instead the water looked
dirty from a distance
churning up whatever
blew into her all-accepting embrace
tonight the sky is dark
time for a new moon
(as if the old one
isn’t good enough
or worn out–look at the holes!)
and even the stars seem
buried in that darkness
rather than shining through it
now
not much to clear from my mind
a few creaking trees
a little foam
starlight
sea legs (20210403)
at low tide
we walk the shore
i stop
the sand
tries to pull me in
you have twice as many feet
twice as many chances to
free yourself
you yearn toward the sea
while i hesitate
we return from the salt
to higher and drier ground
tides (20170831)
once more i want to stand
upon that beach
remove my shoes though you know
i hate the sand against my skin
but i want to stand at the edge
of the sea
my feet in the wet sand
the water swirling around my ankles
i will stand against
the pull of the water
as sand is drawn out to sea
and i sink feet first
i want to remain there
as moon toys with tide
ground down like sea glass
the ocean and sand polishing me
standing still
sinking into wet sand
until the sea is over my head
and my edges have been smoothed away
song fragment (20170710)
we collected teeth along the shore
hey la, hey la, hey la
a necklace shiny and bright made we
hey la, hey la, hey la
a night and forever its length you wore
hey la, hey la, hey la
as i spoke with the voice of the sea
hey la, hey la, hey la
the moon shines pale upon your breast
hey la, hey la, hey la
now for eternity we are dressed
hey la, hey la, hey la
ocean hand (20160901)
we don’t shiver under the sea
not because we aren’t cold
not because we aren’t afraid
but ocean pressure is
the warmth of a hand without fingers
——
lost at sea (20160818)
dry winds mourn for us
my eyes also dry–just salt
a vanished ocean
but even the tide returns
come–it’s time to start rowing
——
lost at sea (Poem 20160426)
sound the bell, and tell my darlin’
your darlin’ is lost, your darlin’ is lost
weigh the anchor, and string her pearls
her pearls are lost, her pearls are lost
strike the sail, and blow me home
your home is lost, your home is lost
pipe me ashore, and let me kiss her
your kisses are lost, your kisses are lost
find a star, and steer me to it
your stars are lost, your stars are lost
take my heart, and feed the sea
your heart is lost, your heart is lost
——
National Poetry Month
NaPoWriMo Day 26
Call and Response
Poem 20160102
still water
cut by boats
cut by the sun
shining like a knife
across the surface
still water
supporting floating gulls and cormorants
lazily chasing darting sandpipers
–somewhere out of sight
the bark of a seal
a dog shakes the winter water
from his coat
emerging from the sea
smiling as only a dog can smile
in this mix of warm sun
cold ocean and fresh air
Words and Feathers 