be still the waters of my heart be still
for all the waves that frolicked in my youth
and danced upon the mighty open sea
for all the crested breakers that gave chase
the thunder of the endless ebb and flow
stay calm and set my restless spirit free
-
let not a ripple on the surface play
let not the night give way to dawn’s first light
the ivy strangles now the upright tree
the tides have turned the future far from bright
sweet freedom how I loved your fresh air
tune
now coffined on the dark side of the moon
dearest Chris… the Perfect Poem for the Times when Law and Order became sequestered documents to be changed with no regard for the Citizens or their Protection… A World that lost its Compass. Sadly, Pat
Posted 1 Month Ago
1 Month Ago
Dear Pat, thank you kindly for stopping by to review this older poem. I hope you are both keeping we.. read moreDear Pat, thank you kindly for stopping by to review this older poem. I hope you are both keeping well. All good wishes 🌹
This poem strikes a responsive chord in the bittersweet memories of youth with its vibrant freedom and innocence juxtaposed against the constraints of adulthood. Love the metaphor of ivy strangling the upright tree for the constraints life places on us as we age. It reminds me of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Really well done.
Posted 7 Months Ago
7 Months Ago
Such a lovely review and I am so pleased to be mentioned with William Blake in mind. I am familiar w.. read moreSuch a lovely review and I am so pleased to be mentioned with William Blake in mind. I am familiar with some of his poetry. Thank you Victor.
so skillfully and poignantly penned. things do have a way of creeping up on us. as my muse thoreau said, "Things do not change; we change." is futile to try and hold onto youth but we can hold onto the youthful spirit and bring it with us into tomorrow. thoreau also wrote, "Don't look back unless you are planning to go that way." made me think of pink floyd's dark side of the moon. growing old ain't for sissies ... :)
Posted 8 Months Ago
8 Months Ago
Thank you Pete for your thoughtful review. Always pleased to have a visit from you.
.. read moreThank you Pete for your thoughtful review. Always pleased to have a visit from you.
This poem had many sad realization of times past vs the present; many changes affected the poet's hindsight. We all wish we could have done things differently, but I'm afraid rewinds are gone. We can change the now to change the future.
I felt this poem dear Chris!
Posted 8 Months Ago
8 Months Ago
Thank you dear Sami for sharing your thoughts which I found interesting. So pleased you stopped by t.. read moreThank you dear Sami for sharing your thoughts which I found interesting. So pleased you stopped by today dear friend. Hope all is good with you.
A frolicking youth, where you could dance upon the sea, the flutters in your little heart….the fresh air of the sea, and all the senses awakening, the ebb and tide of the moon…the freedom enjoyed….now unfortunately those day have faded… and we are all on the dark side of life… the moon is hiding….
Excellent melancholic writing
Warmly, B
Posted 8 Months Ago
8 Months Ago
Dear Betty thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on my poem. Your review very much welcome. read moreDear Betty thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on my poem. Your review very much welcome.
Ah Credence Clearwater Revival. How I loved that group. Bad moon rising, I certainly have fears for .. read moreAh Credence Clearwater Revival. How I loved that group. Bad moon rising, I certainly have fears for the future Keith. Hope all is good with you.
hello friend
not sure which is larger ... the fan or the crap! HA!
i have my doubts i .. read morehello friend
not sure which is larger ... the fan or the crap! HA!
i have my doubts i have my hopes
busy preparing to get further off grid ... house goes on market june 1
simplify/downsize ... kinda sorta
less house more land ... shop will be larger than house (only taking 1 backpack 1 tent and ALL my tools!)
will be spending my remaining time watching the sun rise over the pacific while having a cup or two of kona koffee and building another self built shelter
i've had a grand adventure on the mainland but it's time to return to the jungle!
peace/aloha
8 Months Ago
leon russell sang 'back to the island'
https://youtu.be/AD8b_oJVHQM?t=14
8 Months Ago
My oh my, you are about to have another adventure. Sounds amazing. Watching the sun rise over the p.. read moreMy oh my, you are about to have another adventure. Sounds amazing. Watching the sun rise over the pacific while drinking Kona koffee, fabulous. Thanks for the link to the music. Will play later. Good to hear from you Keith. Keep in touch. Hope your sake goes through ok.
Change, unfortunately, is not sentimental. The exuberance of the first stanza could not be maintained at that pace, and gradually things assumed the state of affairs of stanza two. It is best not to resist emotionally this pattern, though. Unfettered by comparisons, the later years have their rewards, too.
Posted 8 Months Ago
8 Months Ago
Thank you John. Of course we can’t stop change, but I certainly don’t like the direction our pla.. read moreThank you John. Of course we can’t stop change, but I certainly don’t like the direction our planet is traveling in. The horizon diesb’t look peaceful at all.
Loved your images Chris, and your use of the words, frolicked, danced, crested, and then strangles, coffined, it really creates the mood and image of something lost. Great work, as always!
Posted 8 Months Ago
8 Months Ago
Thank you Norma for stopping by with such encouragement. I appreciate you.
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..