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Open Poetry #47
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Free Yet Captive
| Open Poetry #47 |
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Free Yet Captive |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Free Yet Captive The shoreline catches the tide as it rises to its crest. Afar off the end of the jetty disappears save a few of the larger stones. Seagulls are chanting emphatically. Impatiently awaiting the evening when the receding tide will provide its trove of tasty seagull treats… These magnificent birds seem to be together and yet each one alone… As I was watching their aerial display, I was sure I heard the wind cry out to them: ‘Where are your offspring, where do you hide them? How have you continued living all these many years? How are you comforted along this shore and jetty? They seem to understand and continued chanting, and seemed all the more content in their chorus distinct to them. Yet they are surely not alone nor without a home… And somehow as me, free yet captive to the shore and the sea… * * Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Maranatha! |
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| © Copyright 2011 JL - All Rights Reserved | |||
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, my goodness, JL! Wow! This is exquisite beyond exquisite! Owl |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Raibh míle maith agat, le freagra an-milis mar is gnách. Diolch yn fawr iawn, ateb melys iawn fel arfer. Merci beaucoup, une réponse très doux que d'habitude. תודה רבה לך, תשובה מתוק מאוד כרגיל. JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
WOW, WOW, WOW, JL, I am SOOOOOOOO impressed! Third is French, of course and the only one I understand. Thank you for your kind words. I am going to guess the rest: 1st: Welsh? 2nd: Gaelic? (Scottish Gaelic? Irish Gaelic?) 4th: Hebrew? Whilst whether I am completely wrong or not, the 1st 2 are exciting (I LOVE languages, but the 4th is mega-exciting for me because I eSPECially love languages with a different alphabet! I studied Attic Greek as part of my degree and LLLLLLLLLLOVED it, but have forgotten almost everything now - and I taught myself a few hours' worth of Russian - some of the letters were similar to Greek and LLLLLLLLLOVED that too, but have forgotten all of that now. I have always viewed learning languages with a different alphabet like learning a secret code - childish of me, but very exciting for me.) Owl |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I love seagulls and this poem, JL. I think they are free because they are captives of the sea. Ida |
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Aaron Snyder New Member
since 2011-09-02
Posts 6Dependent on my state of mind. |
Shaping the work like a fish is a really nice touch. I like this piece very much. What a dose of reality it is. Fix the typo in stanza four and you're there. The letter d on the end of "continue" in line four. It's the only detraction I can find. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Thanks for the correction. I appreciate the editing. JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Very beautiful write, dear JL. I too love seagulls and at the North Sea I have had often the opportunity to observe them. Their home is the sky, such elegance when they fly and dive ... they are enormous when they come close (Me and my grandson lived wonderful moments when we distributed the dry bread ... they take the pieces in flight. They are shy, they do not come really closer than about two meters ...). They know of freedom most assuredly, but like all living beings they must provide food to survive, now they are even in the towns far from the Sea. I feel like we are all free, yet captive on this beautiful planet Earth ... for a while. Much enjoyed your work. Love, Margherita |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
OOOPS!! JL  |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Margherita: Thank you so much for your reply. ----------- OwlSA: Don’t be impressed about the different languages; I got translation from an online language translation page. I hope you don’t get the wrong idea, I can only speak English, Texas style. Sorry if I mislead. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I had to read this several times before I could catch my breath enough to type a response... and still I lack the words to tell you how much I appreciate the journey your words took me on. I feel the wash of the waves... and I thank you. *S* |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
We are all free yet captive aren't we??? Beautiful I could u sititng there watching the seagulls from the shore!!! Nice!!! ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I worked in the Gulf of Mexico for quite a few years on oil rigs and platforms and seismograph boats. The gulls were, to me, almost as intriguing as the dolphins. You brought out their "comradeship" even though they are actually loners all the way. I can still picture them following in the wake of the boat picking off shrimp and whatever else we churned up for them. Good poem. ~~ I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize. ~~ |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Thanks Jerry. JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Giggles about the languages, JL. You still had fun playing with the translator and I had fun trying to guess the other 3! Owl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed...James |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Thank you Mr. James Lee. JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Suthern, thank you for your very special reply. I'm glad you went on that journey.  JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Wow... The imagery here is lovely... and poignant. I can all too clearly relate. Very good writing. Michael |
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