River and Sea

Edited by Richard W. Jenkins, gracious thanks for refining the flow. Written on 7/5/16, northern coast of California, while my husband and I spent most of the time doing things separately.

There lives a place where river meets sea;
sandbars north and south, a channel in-between.
Salt air blows east on a strong summer breeze,
where high winds rush, so the river stays sweet.

Stands an old bench on a hillside facing west,
above the river where I often pause to rest . . .
surrounded by daisies and short bushy trees,
it's there I wonder about rivers and seas.

In the small, carved channel, blending they meet;
Swirling whirlpools, eddies salty and sweet,
merge naturally with flows of incoming tide,
separate again along sand's rising stride.

I am river, My Love, and you are sea,
with a channel carved out where we can be.
When the tide has receded, our distance grows great
again shall we meet, if we patiently wait.

I will wind my path through cities and towns;
You will travel the earth chasing sundowns.
When you've returned and the tide has flowed in,
I'll be waiting there where we always begin.

Though storms may swell reshaping the land,
our channel will widen, ocean covering sand.
More time to re-merge until waters recede . . .
complementary partners, we are river 'n sea.

Author's Note

Wouldn't have posted this- except I've been reading so many love poems lately, when I wrote this to my husband Tuesday, I thought, why not?

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Marianne!
It's just Richard, come to pay your beautiful poem of love a visit, to warm my heart, and brighten the day. : )
Softly and gently ⁓ the tenderness in your nature wields a most entreating pen, speaking in soul and heart alluring whispers that dance and flow throughout one's being ever-so smoothly and effortlessly.
What man could resist being smitten by a woman with such wondrous depth of feeling and emotional understanding? A question I surely cannot answer, for he would not be me.
A romantic tried and true, you've caressed the very fiber of my senses, embracing each and every kind of feeling that such an exemplary stroked, visually image-laden piece possibly could … I'm swept!
My teacher's eye naturally noted a few spots where this virtual masterpiece of romantic brilliance might shine a bit brighter, and if you've the mind to pursue it, just tap me on the shoulder with a message. : )
Coincidentally, we seem to have been a bit on the same wavelength with the river, Nature, sea, etc; though, my little piece is in Free Verse. When time allows, you might enjoy it, but I doubt as much as I have yours.
If you're interested, here's the title and URL:
"The River, the Clouds, and Us"
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1795500/

Thank you so warmly and gratefully, Lady Marianne … it's been a genuine pleasure to enjoy you! ⁓ Richard

[Marianne Rose]

My goodness Richard- your review is like a love poem itself! I don't usually write in rhyme, except occasionally when I write a song, and when I was in college and smitten enough to write long poems that rhyme in iambic pentameter! Actually, it was reading your free verse poem that convinced me to post River and Sea- I love your poem, and reading it brought me peace.

You are too kind, my Lord Richard, to speak so kindly of "heart alluring whispers" and "image-laden peace", and the word "exemplary" - well, my knight, you so flatter my heart I could swoon!

I'll tap your email- I'm definitely interested in the teacher's eye, and trying to get more comfortable and natural inside structure and form- they do seem to argue when my pen hits the page.
And thank you, Sir Richard,
Fondly,
Lady Marianne
[how fun is this!]

[Darian B.]

You use incredible imagery in a way that simply heightens the love showed towards your husband. I love reading pieces like this, where a nature analogy is used to show love because there is a dual beauty in the poem. This is a really great poem, I'm glad I happened upon it!

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you! Haven't seen your work yet, so will check it out! I appreciate your review and comments about nature and love- they are such compatible subjects, aren't they? Sometimes when I experience nature, all I can see is the metaphors about our life here together. I appreciate your reading and reviewing!

[Inject Positivity]

I'm left speechless... Your love for your amazing husband glorifies in this poem... The best part of this write is the way you have connected the meeting of river and ocean with the love of two human hearts... I can tell you it reached the core of my heart... True love never separate, the more distant the hearts get the more it becomes stronger...

Yoy have a brilliant way of connecting the heart of the reader to your words... This kind of love inspire me, make me hope that I will find someone someday...

I can't help myself but constantly visit your page for these amazing works...

Sincerely
Dhiman

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm jealous. I haven't seen the Pacific since 1996. The poem is wonderful and perfect.
"Storms may come to reshape the land
Our channel will widen, ocean covering sand
More time to merge until waters recede
Complementary partners, we are river and sea "
I loved the above lines. Near the sea was the only place I knew peace. Thank you Marianne for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you Coyote- I always enjoy your reviews- you let me know what part stands out for you, and how it makes you feel to read it. I appreciate your reading and reviewing very much.

[Coyote Poetry]

Always my pleasure to read your work and you are welcome.