This poem is the threading together of several small poems that all seemed to lead in the same direction.
Life throbs in ocean currents,
the rhythmic beat of rain in the rushes,
the booming song of the whale
and the tremulous heartbeat of a bird.
It coils and twists,
intricate as a snail shell,
filled with sand and diamonds and stars,
a capharnaum of treasures
and barbed ambiguities,
of things that drive us apart,
roses plucked from the tree,
a caged bird weeping,
contrary winds filling unruly sails,
and things that hold us together,
threads of sunlight,
tangles of roses,
strings that net the stars,
and the merest touch of your hand.
In the coiled nacre of our shell,
where night is bright as pearl
and day dim and cool as the ocean,
where stars fall and fish leap in the sun,
there is no end to me,
no beginning to you.
Sometimes
in the night,
to the beat of a double pulse,
I feel my thoughts slipping,
sand through fingers,
from me to you,
your lips,
my words—
oneness.
This is wonderful. I love how the things that hold you together are so diaphanous. And this, move over, Pablo Neruda:
In the coiled nacre of our shell,
where night is bright as pearl
and day dim and cool as the ocean,
where stars fall and fish leap in the sun,
there is no end to me,
no beginning to you.
Thank you! This was a linking ‘bead’ that didn’t come from a prompt. It just grew 🙂
It’s amazing. The immense beauty in it from every metaphor was overwhelming. I really loved the last two stanza. We all love some irony especially when it’s caused by love, it was perfectly described in penultimate stanza and the last stanza simple beauty, the line, “sand through fingers” stole my heart.
Aw thank you, Jeren! I really enjoyed putting this poem together. It was like threading beads 🙂
Exactly! That was the right description. You threaded some beautiful vivid beads together!
Thank you!
I haven’t read the actual poem yet. But when seeing in my feed what I perceived as the opening of a beautiful poem, I thought “This poem is the threading together of … ” was a brilliant start.
Well, that’s a compliment to begin with! I hope the poem comes up to expectations 🙂
I got called away to clean and move the swimming pool for an impromptu party with neighbors. 🙂
Clean and move a swimming pool??? Hope your back’s okay!
You thread words like a jeweller threads pearls. *nodding* i like this.
Thanks Ellen 🙂 It meanders a bit, but like a river rather than a lost soul, I hope 🙂
It is magnificent. I especially like these:
“Life throbs in ocean currents,
the rhythmic beat of rain in the rushes”
“It coils and twists,
intricate as a snail shell”
“a capharnaum of treasures
and barbed ambiguities”
“and things that hold us together,
threads of sunlight,
tangles of roses,
strings that net the stars,
and the merest touch of your hand”
Thank you! I don’t usually write such long poems in free form, but this one felt right.
Stunning! You’ve said it all:
Life is powerful and gentle.
Life is great and delicate.
Life has a time for weeping and a time for laughter, a time for coming together and for parting.
Life is untouchably far and inseparably close.
Life is everywhere and nowhere.
And you added so many things I didn’t say 🙂
Oops. Sorry! Did I? I was utterly engrossed.
The poet’s oblivion 🙂
Beautiful sea/ocean images. One of my favorite themes.
Glad you like this!
Wow, this is just phenomenal. You amaze me.
I’m glad you like this, Tricia 🙂 I’m pleased with the result.
Wonderful piece. Nothing can compare to the oneness shared with another. My thoughts slipping from me to her lips. Absolutely brilliant imagery. Loved this.
Thanks Jerry 🙂 I’m glad you share the same feelings.