Undertow

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not the fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau

To navigate between the cobbles

 

learning to compromise in me

to be thoroughly adverse

and still ever so balanced

against the undertow

which is leading me,

but that I also suffer

 

it’s flowing inside of me

 

turn around as a whirlpool

to swim out of the deep

as a salmon jumps

into my hand

 

I, the bear on the side

 

beat them down

taking care of their intestines

and silver scales

I talk them with a mouthful

through

 

listen to the spawn

the fertilisation and the hatching

in a word to sigh the sentence

 

the expectation inside of me

has become a fish again.

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

24/09/2014

 

 

Reviews

[Vishuddha]

I call it the river. The River of Life. Same swirls, same eddies, currents, whirlpool, undertow. We are made much of water. The silver scales are beautiful, shining in the sun, but it is again the secret sentences, the sounds that speak to you. They take you back to your own beginnings. All the expectations of life are yours again. Happy fish, struggling in their element. I will not ask what you say to them. It is enough that you have written this poem for us.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Lily, being the bear and the fish, it's knowing the whole cycle. :) Rudi

[B]

I would think fishing is a journey
of catching and releasing

Finding out our own luck in this journey called life
Men fish to drop all expectations
And freely explore deep waters
the unknown

I see it in your poem

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you for your view on my poem. I can relate to that. Really appreciated, Nisreenaa. :) Rudi

[Confuser]

Rudi: we do exspect so much and can self-sabotage; that is life's every changing undertow and we need "cleansing outside of the fight for balance" - survival - inside we can be full of self-indulgence and extorsion and changing that cycle requires maturity and awareness of the impurities we hold onto. Hope I understood. You are a wonderful poet. Thank you. Dale

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you for your kind words and your clear sight upon things, Dale. I'm glad you liked it. Have put some new chapters of my stories. Don't know if you have the time, but if you are interested, I'm always glad to read your comments. :) Rudi

[Confuser]

I saw one for Stone - It was just there today (unless I looked wrong?) will be getting to it soonest!! Thank you so much. Dale

[emmajoy]

How we fluctuate and dither between growth, near-death.. then save selves by returning to innocence - the best though sometimes the most complicated cos is when we learn what hurts or what most matters. Your poem holds thoughts so calmly yet goes from tasting worded experiences, then - thinking.. and thinking .. repeatedly.

' .. .. with a mouthful - through listen to the spawn -- the fertilisation and the hatching -- in a word to sigh the sentence -- the expectation inside of me -- has become a fish again. .. '

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Emmajoy, for reading and for your kind words and your review. :) Rudi

[MsJewel]

A wonderful message shared in your simple words Rudi - your creativity shines in this beautiful little gem. A delight to read my friend!

:) Julie

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Julie, for reading my poem and your kind words. :) Rudi

[Frank]

Hoe macht U het mijnheer

Ja het was goed

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Bedankt, zeer goed. Thank you, very good. :) Rudi

[Abderrahmane Dakir]

It's nice poem of describtion of the sea.Thank you for sharing it.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you very much. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

I love the sea. I have spend many hour near her. I liked the poem. Filled with the feel of the sea and create powerful and good visions. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, John, have been many years on vacation to the seaside when I was young. I remember the harbour and the ships, the fishermen and the fish. Warm memories of a family happening, will never forget them. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

I need a year near the sea and you are welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it is almost like we eat up our own expectations before they get a chance to come to fruition...or ideals like the salmon jump into the paws of cynicism...and we are eaten whole, values and all.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Jacob, for visiting and you clear view on things. :) Rudi

[Jamestown]

Great piece of work, descriptions are clear. Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Jamestown, for visiting and reading my poem. Have a good day. :) Rudi