Poetry challenge Pebbles: the entries

I’m preparing this post in advance, as I am the next challenge, because I won’t have time to do the round up tomorrow. Book release aside, we are signing for our new (very old) house just after lunch, and as we intend to go straight out to look at our purchase and christen it, I’ll be spending tomorrow morning packing our camping gear. If anyone posts an entry on Tuesday, I promise I’ll do an update when I get back to civilization and internet access.

The first entry is from Patricia Salamone. It isn’t a pantoum and Patricia says she’s not a poet. I leave you to judge.

WASHED UP ON THE SHORE
By: Patricia Salamone

Washed upon the shore from far away,
or have you been resting here for many a day.
No matter where you come from you bring a story with you.

Did you come from deep below the sea,
or did you travel here from where I would like to be.
No matter where you come from you bring a story with you.

Did a small child pick you up and plop you here one day,
so another child can pick you up and take you off to play.
No matter where you come from you bring a story with you.

You feel so warm beneath my feet and smooth in my palm,
when I come here again you will probably be gone.
No matter where you come from you bring a story with you.

If I pick you up and take you home with me,
will you tell me your story or will your story be me.
No matter where you come from you bring a story with you.

 

Next was Sarah from the south west with a lovely evocation of memories of playing on the beach with a child.

Pebbles – a Pantoum | fmme writes poems

 

Ken’s poem is full of longing for a world where uniqueness and difference is treasured. Maybe, one day.

Like Pebbles on the Sand | rivrvlogr

 

Merril’s poem is in true ballad style, wishing on a blue stone, wild geese and hopes for a better world.

Stone of Peace | Yesterday and today: Merril’s historical musings

 

Sri’s poem plays on the words ‘collect’ and ‘recollect’, gathering memories like pebbles on the beach.

Rewind…

 

Kerfe’s ocean washes the reader to the margins of time, a tremendous image, bouncing back and forth in a litany of contrasts.

In the Margins of Time | method two madness

 

Kat’s poem offers a much more interesting alternative to sunbathing

Treasure Bound | like mercury colliding…

 

This one is from TJ, the Australian Parisien, who creates what seems to me, a delightful paradox with his beach butterfly, flitting about turning stones, in a search for happiness.

Leave No Stone Unturned | La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin

 

There’s a sense of melancholy in Janice’s poem. Beauty is there, solid as polished stones, but she feels that something eludes her grasp. Beauty isn’t as so easy to capture.

Pebbles – Ontheland

 

Peter. Another one apologizing for not writing a pantoum. It isn’t an obligation, just a suggestion. I like this image, the pebble, that has taken so long to be polished, then washed ashore, forever hidden beneath the waves.

On the rocks

 

Louise’s poem uses the pebbles in another function, a path leading to dreams, happiness, the sky. A poem full of movement and light.

Ocean Lullaby – Fantasy Raconteur

 

There you are. Polished gems, all of them. Thank you all for participating. I’m posting next week’s challenge a little ahead of time since I won’t have internet access on Wednesday, so you’ll have an extra day to polish 🙂