Across the Bay

Gazing out across the water,

still and smooth with a sheen like glass,

tangibly translucent and yet

reflective enough to contain a second sky,

my eyes linger on drifting hopes,

caught by the slow current, wandering

aimlessly like bottles and bits of wood,

and all at once I wish that my fingers

could dip down into the deep and come up

filled with more than they have lost.

 

Across the bay there are cars parked,

people leaning on hoods, sipping coffee,

dogs rooting around in the sparse grasses

that crawl their way toward the water’s edge,

and I find myself floating towards them,

my soul-feet dragging on the salty surface,

until I am within earshot of their thoughts,

and I am able to live there with them,

in that two-dimensional space where I

see them flatly, forgetting the rules of perception.

 

A girl sits on a bench, reading to the water

with words as soft and rich as Orchid petals;

I hang beside her like a ghost, stealing

the precious mysteries of her solitude.  

 

Reviews

[G. Marie"floating on an..]

This is a beautiful poetic piece I love the imagery you created here. and I love the line "words as soft and rich as Orchid petals. I love reading your writing. It inspires me to reach new horizons

[Antonio Valentino]

Wonderful thing about the surface of water, how far the sound can travel. Sitting in my boat I can hear people, I can barely see, especially in the fog, then it really gets kind of spooky.

Wonderful poem MM!
It brought forth many memories, of simpler times, unhurried.

Antonio

[Eagle Cruagh]

A beautiful translation of the writer`s perceptions
into feelings and views that can be appreciated by
all readers.
Excellent writing by a gifted artist.
Thank you !
----- Eagle Cruagh

[Tony]

Quite serene, a quiet time of reflection is how I read this. You have painted a wonderful picture in the mind of the reader.

Antony

[Constance-Outspoken]

There are many places in this piece where I was so wrapped up in your words that I had to stop and reread, holding onto that moment. For some reason my favorite part is this:
caught by the slow current, wandering

aimlessly like bottles and bits of wood,

and all at once I wish that my fingers

could dip down into the deep and come up

filled with more than they have lost.

I could see your world, as though you had painted it for me. This is an amazing poem. I would not change a word of it.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

What a wonderful account of stopping to smell the roses... taking in the true beauty that surrounds us... taking your time and just observing real life... stunning imagery, a very soul soothing piece.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The last verse reminds me of a Rod McKuen poem; he wrote so much of lingering solitude. The entirety is lovely and a simply wonderful write.

[Jeannie Wilder]

Oh dear, I do adore this! Your imagery is stunning, there are too many lines I like to repeat. But I love the feel of this, and it's structure and flow. I must say that the last stanza is my favorite, and a wonderful way to end the piece. A large and beautiful well done!