Ocean

A weekend away in the beautiful Sea Ranch.

_{There’s something about the way the trees bend,}

_{the way they go with the breeze}

_{in a windswept arc}

_{that holds up the sky,}

_{the way the air sounds}

_{crashing down against the ocean waves}

_{that are caressing a beach of rocks}

_{on a hidden cove}

_{with no path leading there and back,}

_{the way the fog sits in the valley}

_{with hints of blue and moments of warmth}

_{but no real plans to ever uncover the earth}

_{from its blanketed gray,}

_{the way the seagull pauses on the wind}

_{looking right and left}

_{waiting for the perfect moment to dip and soar,}

_{the way skin tastes salty after standing close to a tempest ocean}

_{as the mist gently coaxes deep breaths}

_{that can only come out in sighs,}

_{the way different shades of blue}

_{are the solitary colors}

_{that transform the image of the painting}

_{and goes on forever past the end of the world,}

_{the way the small fishing boat}

_{bobs in and out of the tumultuous waves}

_{never seeming fearful of sinking}

_{though only a speck of dust on a playing board of forever,}

_{the way the bullfrogs sing their serenades,}

_{a chorus of voices calling out to each other}

_{and lighting on my ears as if the song were just for me,}

_{the way the night is so dark,}

_{the only light from distant headlights reflecting against the covered sky,}

_{making it possible to believe}

_{that I am the only soul that exists}

_{in a continuum of nowhere and no reason,}

_{a space of no beginning and no end.}

_{There is something about the way life stands still}

_{in a season of suspended motion}

_{away from a world that is constantly moving}

_{next to the chameleon ocean}

_{where the only time is our own}

_{and is just what we make of it.}

Reviews

[J]

Oh, your mind's eye is a wonderful place to be! The first line of wind-bent trees holding up the sky and I was gone. THIS is the internal landscape of a poet, the eyes and heart of a dreamer . . . an original architect of words. "the way the air sounds/crashing down against the ocean waves ..." oh yes! Further: "the way the seagull pauses on the wind/looking right and left ..."

Just those few lines roll around in my mind like pearls on the tongue . . . gentle, smooth, rolling and precious. Each line seems so carefully chosen to blend into a watercolor of striking beauty, yet slides into itself leaving the reader with just the whisp of a sigh on the lips.

I love poems of the sea. And this one is a keeper. ;-)

[Angel's Lady]

the way skin tastes salty after standing close to a tempest ocean -
Actually choosing just one line seems so silly as I loved them all. You have so carefully and artfully chosen just the right words to paint such a lovely picture of the Ocean. Wonderfully written. Great job!

[J. Araujo]

wow. so detailed you painted a perfect picture in my head, esp with the seagulls, i feel like i'm near an ocean! your amazing and i don't use that word often on here.

and goes on forever past the end of the world,

great line!

[[untitled]]

I stand in awe of your expression of the ocean and how you can exquisitely pen it, in perfect, perfection.

I, too, look at the sea, and it's surroundings, and am humbled by the beauty and majestic power that it contains.

Your writing is such a treasure to read.

"There is something about the way life stands still
in a season of suspended motion
away from a world that is constantly moving
next to the chameleon ocean
where the only time is our own
and is just what we make of it."

Magnificent, dear friend.

Simply, magnificent!

[Antonio Valentino]

Dear Autumn, this is not only one of your, best poems, it is one of the most touching poems I have ever felt. How special you truly are.

The beauty of the vast ocean in the background of your picture, pales in comparison to the lovliness of your smile, and your loving spirit.