In October 2022, the talented poet Jeff Flesch published one of my poems on
his website. What an honor! That poem was inspired by one of Jeff’s poems
(page 66) in Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, his then-newly published book
of poetry.
My poem was published there originally. If you click on the above link it’ll take you to where the book is sold.
Or perhaps, you’d like to read my Amazon review of the book first?
In the meantime, I’ll share the longish poem
that resulted from The Ocean’s Rocks
on page 66.
I hope you like it.
Gift From The Sea
I am not jealous of the rocks
that dwell deep in the ocean bed
they have nothing to covet;
nothing to look forward to
(scoff)
but for sore backs from lying stiff
under kelp beds in seagrass–
as threshing sea-doormats
–and perhaps of sand in their eyes
but I suppose I’m predisposed to
how heavy its shoulders must be
when my avant-garde gauge
is the emptiness I suffer
after yet one more mate left my bed
I met a starfish at the shore the other day
when my shoulders were laden with pity
and boy, was I surprised with the story she shared!
she named a rock in the intertidal zone
that dreamed about being a rock on Mt. Everest
where he’d lay under a female Juniper tree–
in the forested zone, no less,
to wait for Juniper to drop him her berry-cones
“Don’t ask,” the pink starfish exclaimed,
rolling her eyes before she continued,
“but he is lots of fun and such a loving rock;
everyone respects him–we hope to keep him
grounded and curious.
We cannot make him change, but we can make him
grow aware of his unrealistic expectations,”
she said, and then she left with the tide
shouting I-don’t-know-what at me and that she’d
write her rock a love poem
How curious, thought I of the soliloquy
that even rocks have dreams to profess
curious-er still about the rock’s recklessness
to plant ideas into the heads of sea stars
Is that what life’s like at the bottom of the sea?
Today I met a rearing Adélie penguin pair
hit with a dire dearth of rocks to steal–
they have their eyes on the stones
at the bottom of the oceanic crust
but by golly, those are unwieldy
and immersed too deep to even try
“We’re the pebble poachers in these lands,”
the female told me, “with brave dreams of getting
our hands on those stones.”
“Stones that just lay on sea beds–
doing nothing,” offered the male.
Then, just as they came, they ran
off to write each other love poems
I nodded, supposing I understood their plight.
Is it thievery when this couple
could put those rocks to good use–
and grant the rocks a purpose to be?
All for the sake of their offspring?
As I trudged home, my shoulders felt lighter
I didn’t know I didn’t know–but now I know!
Thinking hard about being jinxed by getting
the feted short end of the stick in life
which amounts to not having someone
to cohabit my bed with at night
Is my qualm due to quixotic expectations?
Do I need more lessons from the sea?
Perchance now I’m more ready to give it one more try
I’ll start today by writing to myself a love poem.
© Selma
divider: Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
Thanks for reading.
Happy reading, happy writing, happy living.
I wish you miracles.
- NPM Scavenger Hunt – Poems from Around the World - April 30, 2024
- Day 30: NaPoWriMo 2024–Mary Magdalene At The Doctor’s - April 30, 2024
- Day 29: NaPoWriMo 2024–Inside Love Incandescent - April 29, 2024
That’s wonderful. Congratulations.
Blessing friend. Xoxo
I remember reading it there! I miss Jeff. Lovely poem, Selma!
I miss Jeff too… for a long time time now.
Glad you remember this one dear Dawn. It just needed a repost because I like the message it brings. Blessings Xoxo
The great book review. Congratulations! Very potrey.
Thanks so dearly, dear Raj. Blessings.
Selma this is wonderful xo
So enjoyed reading 💟😊
Maggie. So happy you liked it.
It’s a little long winded. But try as I did couldn’t distill it any more. I sometimes go down the rabbit hole with reasearch 🤷🏽♀️ 🤦🏽♀️ then I must share it somehow.
Thanks for reading. Xoxo
Aww it was perfect Selma 😊
My pleasure to read xox
I remember this poem but reading it again was an enriching experience. Thanks.
Your comment is precious dear Sadje. You enrich my world. Thank you.
You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
How wonderful, Selma! Each detail, each dialogue, each emotion draws one in unsuspectingly, so rich are the images and the stories. A gift indeed, to break open and feel lighter shoulders. 💖
Unsuspectingly— so wonderful you followed along that way, dearest Dora. You’re my dream-avatar reader. Thank you for supporting me here. I send you blessings.
Right back at you, Selma, blessings galore friend. 💖
🍫
Beautiful poem, love the personification of the rocks.
The personification. So happy you liked that. Makes my day. Bless you
I like the subtle humor in this Selma. Jeff’s site would not let me post a comment, so I’m putting it here. (K)
I’ve been missing Jeff. Sorry it wouldn’t let you post. Thanks for returning here, K. Happy you enjoyed this. Blessings.
Congratulations on your publication, Selma! The poem is beautiful! Thank you for reblogging and sharing it.
It’s my pleasure indeed, Miriam. It’s a bit longer than my “norm” but I had to share it anyway.
Hope all is well with you. Keep warm. Blessings.
Congratulations!
As I immersed myself in your beautiful verses, which paint vivid images of the ocean’s secrets, I found solace. Your heartfelt journey, from the heaviness of longing to the lightness of understanding, resonates deeply.
May your poetic voyage continue to unfold as you craft words that touch hearts and ignite the imagination. May miracles grace your path, and may your words continue to inspire and uplift.
Warmly, ❦❦❦
Gol
Oh my heart! Thanks for reading and enjoying this long one. Thank you.
Miracles? So you’re a believer too.
Stupendous. I wish you miracles. Xoxo
I do believe in your beautiful pen & I love it.
I do believe in Miracles.
Thank you so much.
Many & many blessings, ❦❦❦