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Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash

I Had To Abandon My Life With That Wave #WDYS

It was I who instigated her,
Put her in harm’s way
But never in my wildest dreams
Could I imagine how she’d change my world
And tire me out with sleepless nights
Of frolic and antics
Until I had to get away-- for my sanity

     And now, a month later, a glass of salty water is
     All I have left from my glorious fling with that ocean wave

We had spent such a
   Marvelous afternoon
     She and I
       Now waltzing,
       Now splashing,
       Now diving,
       Now inhaling deep as
I watched her hold me up to the surface

But that she—
   Tall, wet and fluid, and so full of life
   Would tear away from her ocean,
   Though her sisters cried and begged
   And tried hard
   To grab onto her skirts—
Would abandon them, hold my hand
And run away with me
Was unbelievable!

Immediately she entered my closet
To make sure
We were really alone.
Then she flooded away all dark shadows,
Illuminated every corner with brilliant
Blue and green light
As my neighbors and the stars watched, jealous.

     I hugged her tight every night,
          She squirted her love in response
               Dazzled me with rainbows, and
Oh, how she rolled and crashed with me in my bed!

To the consternation of the neighbors
We rumbled and tumbled that way past a decent hour.
Until in all her doing
She summoned the wind to send them into their houses.

She roared in foaming laughter,
Had the whole house smelling of her
Until I couldn’t function for days
           and I had to abandon her...

     So, out you go, Lady Wave (flings contents in the glass),
          But my degenerate life with you will forever linger:
               The best and worst times in my life.

                                *

                     © 2022 selmamartin.com 
a cloudy sky & ocean faraway. A glass with clear liquid flung from a glass.
Image credits Avis @ Pexels Sadje’s WDYS

I knew right away that salt water was what I saw in Sadje’s photo in What Do You See
this week. And to me, what I see in the distance is a cloudy sky and the ocean *wink*
My inspiration for this poem came from Octavio Paz’s My Life With The Wave poem,
which I fell madly in love with the moment I first read.

I’m sure you must know the poem, but if you don’t, please look it up, dear ones– you’ll
feel the enormity of the ocean visiting you this summer.

For my friends in Australia, save this one for the summer.

BTW, there’s a fantastic children’s book with glorious illustrations made in the likes of
the poem. I recommend you check it out on YouTube
to ascertain why you’ll want to
purchase this one for every child you know.

Top photo: Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash
Photo for June 27th #WDYS: Image credits: Avis @ Pexels

Thanks for reading and I hope you could feel a little
ocean breeze as you read.
Stay cool this summer. I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. Sadje

    I completely enjoyed this experience Selma. A wonderful poem! Thanks for joining in

    1. Selma Martin

      Oh gosh, Sadje. Thanks for letting me play with this one. It’s really salt water that needs to return to that ocean yonder.
      Oh, Sadje, I know how busy you must be, but when time allows check out that Octavio Paz poem. You will adore it like I do.
      And if you have little ones running around check out the children’s book on YouTube. I recommend with my blessings. XoXo good night. 😴

      1. Sadje

        Okay Selma, I’ll definitely do that. Thanks for the recommendation.

  2. ben Alexander

    Selma, this is SO creative and beautiful – you could totally turn this into a children’s story (I’m coming from the perspective of a father to a seven-year-old)!

    Much love,
    David

      1. ben Alexander

        wow! did you read this to your children when they were little, Selma? 🙂

        1. Selma Martin

          I didn’t know about the children’s book when they were little but they sat to listen to me read them the 15 minute long story/prose. And they loved it.
          The storybook is perfect for kids.
          XoXo

  3. Tricia Sankey

    I just take seashells home, but this seems much more fun!! 😆 I really wish Missouri were closer to the ocean, I am a Pisces and feel drawn to water, maybe one day I will move to a nice house on the beach!!

    1. Selma Martin

      Seashells stay put where you put them. Docile. Waves are moody. You know, with the moon thing and all that…
      So please remember this if you ever decide to take home a wave.
      😜 just sayin’
      Thanks for the comment. I bless you.

  4. Michele Lee

    Selma, your poetic story was captivating and enchanting with a touch of mystery! 🌊✨

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Michele dear. Thanks for commenting.

  5. Daphny Aqua

    I love reading through this one, takes you through a whole journey. ❤️

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww. Glad to hear this. I appreciate you. Xoxo 🤗

    1. Selma Martin

      Pleases me enormously to hear you say that. Thanks. 💋

  6. Nope, Not Pam

    What a wonderful poem, it’s so immersive

  7. Sonia Dogra

    I enjoyed your take on the prompt, Selma. Lovely rhythm.

  8. Jules

    A wave… I thought of a mermaid or a sea siren. I’ll have to look up the poem at a later time.
    We had to do some adjusting to our reno plans and empty most of our downstairs room.
    Just the big pieces remain to be moved into the garage when the work starts. …

  9. rajkkhoja

    Good share your knowledge recomend salt water in poem. Nice & knowledgeable write up poem.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hi, Raj, I appreciate your visit. Always. Glad you liked it. Blessings to you and your loved ones in your corner of the world. Stay safe and sweet. I bless you. xoxo

      1. rajkkhoja

        Thanks Selma, I always glady! You so smart answering 😜!

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