Bodysurfer's Prayer

My first new post in awhile...brand new poem. Sorry I have been busy!! Life is complicated sometimes, and this poem goes with that...

Wave lift me higher
Turn my world over again
Set me free in the wind
When I feel most weightless is when
The moment I never thought would come...
ARRIVES

World, how do you always suck me in
Drown me in your undertow
Churn me up and scrape me over the rocks
Then pull me out with reckless strength
Just to spin me into bliss and elation...
AGAIN?

When I have long enough to think
I realize it’s all a wonderful experience
Yet, in the middle I have no control
Tossed and turned by forces beyond measure
Then I’m surfing in on the tide and the world is good
SUCH LOVE

I find myself beached on the shore
Exhausted, I think I couldn’t possibly do it again
But before I can stand up another wave knocks me over
I’m pulled back in, scared, hopeful, worn out, amused
Carried to another peak, and smashed down
LIFE

Do I dare leave this cycle?
Escape samsara for nirvana?
Is the thrill worth the pain?
Can I stand another round?
Sunburned, scratched, parched I go back
REINCARNATED

Reviews

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I truly felt the ebb and flow of the tidal wave... like life itself!...
Some of us are reborn when teetering on the edge of death...

This is a gratifying read, Robert... thank you for writing such a poignant piece...
You've touched me with this..(something I can relate to very much). ~xoxo~

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

I love that you read this, Robbie!! I was beginning to wonder if anyone noticed I was back!!

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Believe me, you're missed!... (((hugs)))...
I love this piece...~xoxo~:)

[Claire in VA]

Superb! I really like how the rolling and
crashing of the waves are symbolic of
our often tumultuous lives. I am also
a water lover and enjoyed this immensely.
~Claire

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Thank you very much, Claire! Sorry it took me so long to respond! I have been busy this summer but I am coming back to my writing! I really appreciate that people like this poem! I am indeed a water baby myself!

[Eric Pudalov]

Hey Robby! It may encourage you to know that I noticed this poem! And it is excellent. It seems metaphorical for life and the forces beyond your control that take hold of you (if I'm not mistaken). But I wondered if the inspiration came from actual bodysurfing (which I too happen to love)!

Anyway, great to see you back and writing again.

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Thanks so much for commenting!! I not only love bodysurfing, but surfing of all kinds. I think bodysurfing doesn't really get its fair share of celebration in the artistic community compared to its slightly more advanced but more artificial cousin involving the board. I also have been a swimmer since I was three weeks old (no lie) and been on swim teams all my life, I SCUBA dive (Advanced Certified through NAUI) and snorkle avidly. I sail and kayak and pretty much love everything there is to enjoy about water, quite honestly... The inspiriations for this poem were strangely disparate. My ex contacted me again and it through me for a loop (hence the loopy-ness of the poem), and I am Buddhist (in a sort of mild and not really denominational way)...but all that made me reminded of how I love the ocean. -So those were the three influences I was bringing together. The bodysurfing idea actually came last, believe it or not! It just got more wave-like as I wrote it! It sprung out of the first two lines (as a lot of mine do). Thanks very much for your comment!

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Post Scriptum: Thanks, I am glad to BE back...I have no intention of leaving long term. I am just getting nutsy busy! Too much happening with family and friends and ex-loves. I'm surprised I haven't been overcome!

[Eric Pudalov]

Wow...oddly enough, it seems like we have a lot in common - I bet we'd be good buddies. I *also* bodysurf when I get the chance (although I don't live as close to the water now) - grew up on Long Island, where it was easy to get to the beach. I must admit I'm a little jealous that you SCUBA dive; I've never been certified. But I have been snorkeling in places like Puerto Rico and Mexico, which was truly amazing!! I've also been kayaking in Mexico and on some of the rivers in Georgia.

And it's so interesting where the different inspirations for the poem came from...but I know how that can be. Someone might ask you, "Where did this poem come from?" And that's a hard question to answer, because sometimes it's from more than one source. Perhaps I'll read this piece again with some of the knowledge you've given me there. Still, I tend to interpret what I read in my own way, so I may come away with a completely different meaning than the author intended. Perhaps that may happen to you too? You seem like a very deep and introspective person.

[Traci]

The poet in you has grown rapidly. This is such a soulful write, love. The emotion is intense and written with such depth and wisdom prevailing. You ask honest questions, a true reflection of your heart and soul, as this is a time of clarity. The ebb and flow of life is much like the waves, we get knocked down but find the strength and courage to rise again. As you have, my friend. Your strength truly emanates throughout this beautiful piece. Another favorite!! 100/100

[Robert Tusitala O'Neill]

Wow!! I am truly grateful for your appreciation of my poetic development. It gives me a pleasant shock to hear you say this represents a rapid growth in my abilities! I wasn't expecting that. I am just emoting basically. I didn't really think so much about the comparison to earlier works. I did like the originality of the structure of this piece though. I felt like I was getting somewhere with creating my own unique flow. Thanks very much for your ongoing support!

[Traci]

Always a pleasure to read your beautiful words, sweet man. Rapid growth is seen and felt as your passion soars. Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf...as you portrayed in this poem :)