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Auguste
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By the sea

0 posted 2001-05-20 08:35 PM



The Sea Oat

by Michael


More life behind than that ahead
The many paths I've walked along
Too many words that went unsaid
Favorite music, now old song

How could my beard have turned to gray?
I'm much to young for this to be
Too many words I've still to say
So many dreams I've yet to see

So many troubled waters crossed
Sometimes the tiller stiff in hand
At times in charted waters, lost
At others, I lost sight of land

Sometimes the wind is hard to find
Full battened sails to catch the gust
Sometimes the grayness comes to mind
My instincts now I know to trust

The hour's late and I must make
This crossing in the dead of night
To leave the safety of the shore
And add more sail, the wind is light

The Sea Oat moans both fore and aft
And rides the swells in front of me
A fresh wind comes from out the West
And drives her hard upon the sea

Of dead mariners do I think
On ocean bottom where they lie
Of ships they trusted not to sink
Of loved ones they left home to cry

Though my favorite songs are old
There is still youth beneath the gray
The voyage made this night is bold
The unsaid words I now will say

Ahead I push, I'm homeward bound
A fire they've kept that I might see
To guide the Sea Oat to that sound
That I might not be lost at sea

So eager, do I watch the night
While stars are swallowed in the deep
And one by one, more near to light
Much closer to my love to keep

Should my ship founder on the way
This voyage end and take my life
The words unsaid I now will say
I could not find a better wife

I became lost within your eyes
My compass broke the day we met
The deepest passion in me rose
And from that day my sails were set

Like me, the Sea Oat too is gray
And takes on water now and then
So many sails I've had to mend
That I might journey on my way

So stoke the fire, I need the light
To guide me to your sweet embrace
To take the darkness from the night
I'll only drown in your embrace

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

© Copyright 2001 Michael Auguste - All Rights Reserved
Temptress
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
1 posted 2001-05-20 08:40 PM


Here's to words unsaid having their day..or days.. This is truly captivating. I hung on to the end with a stop in my heart..then a sigh of pure joy. I enjoyed this.
Joyce Johnson
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Washington State
2 posted 2001-05-20 08:42 PM


This is so beautifully said.  No wonder she is keeping the fires stoked for your return.  Joyce
rosepetals25
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3 posted 2001-05-20 09:21 PM


Micheal,

"Should my ship founder on the way
This voyage end and take my life
The words unsaid I now will say
I could not find a better wife

I became lost within your eyes
My compass broke the day we met
The deepest passion in me rose
And from that day my sails were set

Like me, the Sea Oat too is gray
And takes on water now and then
So many sails I've had to mend
That I might journey on my way

So stoke the fire, I need the light
To guide me to your sweet embrace
To take the darkness from the night
I'll only drown in your embrace"
    
       Beautiful writing! What a lucky woman your woman your wife is  




TaraB

[This message has been edited by rosepetals25 (edited 05-20-2001).]

elizabeth anne
Member
since 2001-03-29
Posts 83

4 posted 2001-05-20 11:19 PM


Very intense writing Michael.. I would also agree that your wife is a lucky woman...hope she realizes that...

Elizabeth Anne

Greeneyes
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In Your Poetic Mind
5 posted 2001-05-20 11:38 PM


Sometimes when we let go of the past just a little, and look forward to the journey yet to come, we are maybe a little grayer, but so much wiser....you are fine tuning that sail....this is another stunning poem....be well and hugs to you...


Lauren~


***

Nothing Beautiful In This World
Is Ever Really Lost
All Things Beloved
Live on In Our Hearts...Forever."


Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
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British Columbia, Canada
6 posted 2001-05-21 02:15 AM


Well I had to pick a favorite and this was it:
   Should my ship founder on the way
   This voyage end and take my life
   The words unsaid I now will say
   I could not find a better wife

This poem was so fantastic and I felt it went so well with the painting on your homepage, as that ship looks like it is suffering the strong winds of time as well, but is fighting to reach its destination no matter what crosses its path!
Michael, this was absolutely a wonderful read, thank you for your poetic genius to take away a little of what seemed, a lonely night.  Opps, sorry for the long post!



~*~ I write ~ Therefore I am ~*~
Homepage: http://www.mysteria-poetry.cityslide.com/contents/contents.cfm/451673


[This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 05-21-2001).]

Auguste
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By the sea
7 posted 2001-05-21 05:19 PM


Temptress,
Thank you so much for reading.  I'm glad you enjoyed this.

Joyce,
We each keep the fires stoked.  She's a great lady.  Thanks

rosepetals,
What a lucky man I am.  Thank you

Elizabeth Anne,
I show her in every way I can and she does the same.  Thank you

Lauren,
Yes, wiser for sure.  Thank you, my friend and (((hugs))) to you.

Sharon,
Long or short, your posts are always a joy to read and I thank you, my friend.


Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
8 posted 2001-05-22 02:37 PM


What a gripping tale... and what a lovely ending!! This is great, Michael! *S*
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