Man On The Shore

A Poem by George Coombs

Narrative poem for the young and young at heart that I wrote w while back

Man On The Shore

The sea lay still and calm

Sun was setting slow.

Distant sky was blushing

Whispering waves did flow.

A man walked along the shore

That was touched by white-fringed waves.

Looking for things a man like him

Always finds and saves.

The sky was blue, white fluffy clouds

Moved slowly across the sea.

He looked among shells and seaweed

While Gulls flew proud and free.

The air was full of Gull cries

As they moved across the sky.

Still he searched all along the shore,

A feather caught his eye.

No feather like this had he seen before,

Not from any sea bird.

He stood and puzzled until

From behind, a sound he heard.

He turned, there stood a girl

The loveliest he’d ever seen.

“Sir, I need that feather,” she said

“I am a proud Gull queen.

“I was changed to human form when

That feather fell from my wing

Only if I hold can I ever join

With the other Gulls and sing.

The man gave her the feather, she

Took it with a smile and said

“You will be rewarded sure

As the sunset sky is red.

For the Gulls will always be your friends

And you’ll find stars under each stone

That will shine their brightest for you at night and

You’ll never walk the beach alone.”

She flew away, under each stone

Were stars all shining bright.

The sun went away, darkness came,

Gull cries filled the night.

He threw the stars t the sky and

Turned to go away.

The Gull queen flew up to him

And quietly did say

“We gave you the stars which you give

To the night making darkness glitter for all

Now, for giving, we give you ourselves

Our bodies, our wings, our call.”

He was changed to a Gull and wandering man

Roams where the slow waves sigh

Always is heard in quiet or calm

The sound of a proud Gull’s cry.

George Coombs

© 2017 George Coombs

My Review

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Reviews

Samuel Dickens

Fantastic! I love everything about this--the setting, the romance, the magic. I mainly write stories and am a clumsy, un-polished excuse for a poet, but you tell a great story and make it rhyme, too.

Posted 7 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

7 Years Ago

Thankyou Samuel, its good to hear from you

Richard🖌

Gosh, George!
This is surely one of the (if not "the") most beautifully touching poems I've had the honor to read and enjoy.
You've a great imagination, your inferences and moments are wonderfully creative and original in so many appealing ways … genuinely, I love this!
Typically, when I come across such a poem, I feel a tinge of jealousy, as though I wish I'd written it, but in this sense, I'm simply thrilled you offered me the privilege and pleasure, as I consider it beyond my skill-level.
George, I'm unsure you'll welcome critique, but as a teacher of poetry, several issues caught my eye, that if properly addressed, would make this a virtual masterpiece. Let me know if you're game, and I'll share them with you. : )
Your choice of accompanying painting is very interesting painting, indeed, and I wondered if it might be one from your own brush.

In-any-event, this is one I'll not soon forget, as the deeply-felt ambiance of it still resonates, even after writing my review … thank you, Dear Fellow Poet, for sharing your fine skills! ⁓ Richard