Monday, March 11, 2013

Catharsis

Meal Beach, Burra Isles, Shetland by Robin Gosnall


Written while visiting our friends' amazing beach house 
in Oceanside California (really worth a look if you have time).

Catharsis 
©Susan Noyes Anderson

What is this thing that draws me to the sea?
 What passion rises with each white-capped swell
 to churn upon a watery carousel
and break in frothy secrets, spilling free?
The foaming, reckless water quiets me
 in darkly hidden places, guarded well,
 probing the inner reaches of a shell
whose blushed walls glow with bright intensity.
 I love this ocean pounding on the shore,
untamed and unashamed in all its might;
 It rolls and crests and dives and rolls some more,
unbound by man and law and grief and fright.
 The sea engulfs me, draws my answering roar,
sends waves of darkness crashing into light.

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26 comments:

  1. Other MaryMarch 11, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Oh, this is lovely Sue. I especially like the line, " It rolls and crests and dives and rolls some more, unbound by man and law and grief and fright." It sounds wonderful aloud.

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  2. Theresa MilsteinMarch 11, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    Lovely tribute to the ocean.

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  3. Terra March 11, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    "The foaming reckless water quiets me", I love the ocean too, and live a few blocks away so see it every day.

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  4. BoMarch 11, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    This is beautiful!

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  5. izzyMarch 11, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    Oh I love this ! great lilting
    piece-goes with the tune!

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  6. Brian MillerMarch 11, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    it is the rhythm that draws me to its shores...the consistency in its roll...and the sound of its heart...smiles....

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  7. 21 WitsMarch 11, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Oh my lucky you! You speak my words of the sea- and the music it's just an added treat, it doesn't get any better than this!

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  8. EG CameraGirlMarch 11, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    I can hear the ocean roar in your words. I too love the ocean. I grew up on the East Coast.

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  9. yayaMarch 11, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    I guess it's nice to have friends in high places, but I think you did better with friends in beautiful places! I remember that "cottage" from the post you did before and revisiting it was a treat...like your poem! I love the ocean too and I'm looking forward to seeing it when we go to Portland, Ore in a few weeks. It's a little bit of a drive, but I'm not getting that close and missing it!

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  10. StacyMarch 11, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    I sure wish I wasn't 12 hours from beautiful ocean. It makes me happy. Are you safe from the earthquakes out there?

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  11. Esther JoyMarch 11, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    Oh, I like that! I think you have put into words what draws us all to the ocean.

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  12. momto8March 11, 2013 at 8:25 PM

    helps me understand why I love the beach.

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  13. jenMarch 11, 2013 at 10:26 PM

    I love the ocean.

    I hate the sand.

    It's a horrible conundrum, isn't it?

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  14. UnknownMarch 11, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    You've got a way with words. I miss the ocean now.

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  15. hyperCRYPTICalMarch 12, 2013 at 2:11 AM

    I love the sea - it forever calls me...

    (Love the beach house too!)

    Anna :o]

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  16. Silent Otto March 12, 2013 at 5:55 AM

    I suppose floating in a womb must be like the sea, very soulful , Sue, thanks

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  17. Laurie KolpMarch 12, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    Beautiful, Sue. I'm drawn to the sea, too. I just love it.

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  18. karenMarch 12, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Ah, well...you know me and the ocean. It's a love affair. Beautifully written.

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  19. BerowneMarch 13, 2013 at 2:40 AM

    Iambic pentameter,no less. Not easy to do, and you did it beautifully...

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  20. Tess KincaidMarch 13, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    I like the way unashamed plays off untamed...nice...

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  21. Little NellMarch 13, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    A well-crafted poem which conveys the mood perfectly.

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  22. TruedessaMarch 14, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    this was a delightful write..really enjoyed this line..

    and break in frothy secrets, spilling free?

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  23. Splendid Little StarsMarch 16, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    agreed! beautifully spoken!

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  24. Cait O'ConnorMarch 18, 2013 at 4:51 AM

    I really love this poe, Sue, its words, their rhythm, its magic. Just beautiful.

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  25. ~T~March 18, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    I love the sea, too, love living a safe but small distance from the "watery carousel." Brava!

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  26. AmyMarch 25, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    I love the photo! Wow. The words, too. You have a gift.

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