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:

Other Mary said...

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.

Theresa Milstein said...

Lovely tribute to the ocean.

Terra said...

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

Bo said...

This is beautiful!

izzy said...

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

Brian Miller said...

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

21 Wits said...

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!

EG CameraGirl said...

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

yaya said...

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!

Stacy said...

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

Esther Joy said...

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

momto8 said...

helps me understand why I love the beach.

jen said...

I love the ocean.

I hate the sand.

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

Unknown said...

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

hyperCRYPTICal said...

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

(Love the beach house too!)

Anna :o]

Silent Otto said...

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

Laurie Kolp said...

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

karen said...

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

Berowne said...

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

Tess Kincaid said...

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

Little Nell said...

A well-crafted poem which conveys the mood perfectly.

Truedessa said...

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

and break in frothy secrets, spilling free?

Splendid Little Stars said...

agreed! beautifully spoken!

Cait O'Connor said...

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

~T~ said...

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

Amy said...

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