the first time -
May 2, 2009
savor the salt, as if the first time tracing the lines upon your weathered face reaching the tongue of solemn affirmation, a found faith, reciting a seaman’s grace set sight on waves, as if the first time swelling, against a battered stern hoist a sail amid the bash of rolling thunder while praying calm not long return sense the wind, as if the first time unhinged, unending, and blessed forever free giving ground to the years you took the helm of ships traversing the mighty sea heed the call, as if the first time you passively walked along her shore taking oath to be her eternal lover - that ageless maid known only in sailor’s lore bkmackenzie copyrighted 2009
May 2, 2009 at 3:53 pm
comments welcome- this was a poetry challenge using the words,
—-, as if for the first time
May 3, 2009 at 10:25 am
You met the challenge, as you always do. You have perfectly captured a sailor’s love for the sea.
I have had the privilege of knowing fishing boat captains who live as one with the sea. I admire them, but don’t have the confidence they possess. Still, I respect the ocean and admire its vast and varied beauty.
May 3, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Thanks Karen, the sea is always a great teacher, I am not one wonder or wade to far out in her. She is an awesome lady – and I too admire those who take her into their hearts and lives.
have a great day, I am looking forward seeing your next set of photos — blessings
May 4, 2009 at 7:19 am
savoring these words as if they were salt! the have such flavor – i like this line the most: “heed the call, as if the first time”
May 4, 2009 at 8:51 am
Yvette,
Thanks, and like the line many of us have to “heed the call” – it being different for each of us – blending into a beautiful collage of existence we call life —- blessings to you
May 4, 2009 at 9:25 am
Yes!! You know I’m loving it! Sojourner says it so well…the lines have flavor. I can taste the salt on my lips. The stanzas are beautiful and roll me along as if I’m on a ship with the sea captain. The waves “swelling, against the battered stern” is a powerful image. That’s an excellent use of the comma there, too. It slows the line down…I can feel the swell coming.
I’m glad you told us the line was from a poetry challenge. I always find it interesting to know how a poem was born. “As if the first time” is a great prompt, and I’m impressed that you leaped from that one line to the sea.
I also love these lines:
“sense the wind, as if the first time
unhinged, unending, and blessed forever free”
Of course, the entire stanza is awesome. “Sense the wind” is so beautiful. Too many people walk around in life…dull, dead, like robots…and don’t bother to “sense the wind.” I’m inspired to get out there now and take on my afternoon. Thanks again for another beautiful poem.
May 4, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Julie, my what wonderful comments – I am only a seafarer in my mind -(as well as a lot of other things) I am not as brave as this lovers of the open water. But in my dreams and words I feel I too can travel there.
Challenges are always good, and I did not know where I would go with this one – I was riding in the car on an overcast, windy day and that was it — as you stated there are to many people living like robots – the world is alive, nature is alive and it has something to say if we take time to listen.
blessings — as always
May 4, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Ah! You took two challenges this week. How delightful. Here, I like…
sense the wind, as if the first time
unhinged, unending…
May 4, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Yes, L.L. you can tell I have recently retired after 30 years and have time to write more, think more and hopefully get involved in some good projects. Maybe I will find some part time work – but I am not going to rush into it.
blessings