LOWLANDS

An island tells it all

I stare at the bug spotted rear window

silent droplets drip down my cheeks

as we drive north off the island

I can still see the lowlands stretch forever

I shall miss them as we cross the bridge

and get close to the highway

 

Time halts to daydreams and recollections

twelve miles of beach to play, surf, make castles and revel in the sand between your toes

dunes veiled with native green undulate along the

the shoreline and grow if the winds are in charge

 

An ocean trembles with colors heeding a clear sky

with fiery sun’s reflections

or a gray sky with ominous clouds

winds capture the waves and spin them to shore

with a white foam topping crashing against the sand

 

On the west side marshlands spread

as far as the eye can see

creeks snake through sea grass

and rise and fall with ocean tides

at low tide oysters  blanket the muck plentiful

where Egrets and Great Blue Herons tip toe

around hungry for leftovers

a fishy odor disseminates through the humid air

and at dusk the sky is pink, purple, and orange

 

Author's Note

photo is mine!

Reviews

[Vol]

Betty,
I think I have live there... swamps, oysters, fishy air. There is something about a nearby sea that rakes me in, wants to keep me close. I want to go fishing, I want to watch the gulls dive for food, I want to be troubled by the sand in my shoes. I want to sleep with the smell of salt on my skin. I want to take pictures of dinosaur birds!
Sigh.
Vol
Oh my!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Vol for a lovlely review!
Warmly, B

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“An ocean trembles with colors heeding a clear sky
with fiery sun’s reflections”
Gorgeous photo and sultry, beautiful words here Betty. I am enveloped in your island imagery and emotion. So evocative. Thank you for the virtual poetic experience my friend and stay well!

[Betty Hermelee]

Annette; how lovely of you to stop by and read my piece... much appreciated...
Warmly, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty… we spent many years along the Ocean with Seagulls and Waves .. walking along the Sand… your Poem is a Treasure . Wishing you a lovely Spring and Summer. Always, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Pat, something about the marshes, the creeks and the singing of birds just puts my heart at ease
Thank you for your very personal review!
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

What deeply felt moments, what a beautiful photograph... what a wistful but somehow unique feeling of being part of what is a journey, your very special journey.

'An ocean trembles with colors heeding a clear sky
with fiery sun’s reflections
or a gray sky with ominous clouds
winds capture the waves and spin them to shore
with a white foam topping crashing against the sand

A heartfelt etching on your heart perhaps. Certainly on mine. More than visual. Magnificent, Betty. .

[Betty Hermelee]

dearest EM
Thank you for a lovely visual review, really appreciated.... Warmly, B

[Lorry]

This is very reminiscent of Sunday visits to the seaside towns that seemed a lifetime away as a mini me image plays of the train journey to the seaside towns as kids, which seemed like a million miles away from the cold dark ominous skies that mini me city boy was used to as a child.
It also reminded me of a childhood fact, that I have never checked but still swear as true, that you can never be more than 45 miles (or is it minutes) away from the sea in Scotland!
It is only when I moved from the city to the countryside that I realised just how small that bit of land poking above the sea really is, yet it is the countryside that makes me think how endlessly vast the scenery is here.
I'm sure that is one of those puzzles, wrapped inside a conundrum things you hear about....but look how pretty the wrapping is! ☺
And when you think about it, there aren't many things that remind you of that disgusting fishy smell that have so many wonderful memories attached to them! ☺

[Betty Hermelee]

There is something about the lowlands and the marshes and creeks here in the American South, that are outstanding, flat as a pancake so you can see for miles of grass and canals and endless horizon's... even the birds (plentiful) are silent except when they take off for flight....Warmly, B

[Anita Frader]

A poignant farewell to the island's landscapes, evoking memories of beaches, marshlands, and colorful skies before departure. Wonderful picture.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Anita for a lovely review
Warmly, B

[Soren]

A beautiful vivid description of nature's wonderous beauty. Well written and worded. I could see the place and it seemed could feel a breeze blowing cool. Wonderfully written Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much Soren, that was my intention, so glad you "felt it " as well
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

What a lovely description of a journey which left me visualizing the ocean colours before i drifted back to the marshlands and the beautiful photograph with its rippling reflection ...
Imagery to make us want to keep it on a canvas maybe ?

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Stella
Thank you for a fine review; i agree that it should be painted, and I did, in fact, paint one of the birds, but gave it away to family who liked it.....
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

well, i think we should gift our creative talents , i have never and would never sell any of my artwork ( not that anyone would buy it lol) , but i am quite happy to give it away and for some things to be sold by a third party for charity..

[Betty Hermelee]

I think the same way... all my paintings are surrounding me or they are in someone else's house!!!

[Stella Armour]

me too .... all over the house , even little pebbles i paint and give away i keep the best ones scattered about in the house lol

[Poetic Beauty]

The ocean and nature are stunning visuals in this piece. It makes me feel as if I’m sitting off somewhere in the distance watching it all and taking it breath in. It makes me feel calm and peaceful with being in aww of the splendor that surrounds me.

Great write with many amazing visuals. Sounds like a perfect day

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much PB, glad it put you in a sunny and soothing mood.
Warmly, B

[Poetic Beauty]

It truly did that

[John the Baptist]

A very descriptive nature piece here. Not sure of the location, but I sense it is somewhere on the southern coast, maybe South Carolina. Every verse is filled with imagery, almost painting a picture of the beings that inhabit this place. Wouldn't want to live there during hurricane season, but it sure is pretty to look at.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you my friend for a lovely review!
Warmly, B