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Beachcombing
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Beachcombing |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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 Beachcombing: Reflections On My Brief Sojourn In Passions Sooner or later you go with the flow, and the flow goes down whatever hill there is, whether cascade, bayou, whatever, all purely a matter of circumstance like the tide coming in, pushing a river's flow the other way for a while. It got me, gravity always does. Even that backflow is a gravity thing, the moon redefining "up" for a bit. It’s an illusion, this thought of moving upstream; Flow goes down. Light goes down and its tide is called reflection. Reflections. I named a poetry column that, made the brash assumption at seventeen that I was capable of reflecting on something, rather than reprising incident rays from my surroundings. I was better off then, had pretty illusions, thought things mattered, felt the call of that feral moon. The flatter the beach, the more shallow the slope, the more cleanly it reflects, and the less there is to show. Later I believed again, for a while. That while was a life of sorts and I, because I chose the times, directions, took the steps, a man. On this beach waves crawl, obliterating footprints and lovers’ heartful scrawls. Renewed, we say of that sand, but my tracks were new. I brought renewal by living for a moment. Now waves make it old again. These selfsame undulations were here before life. There are rocks with such indentures washed in over the fossils of creatures whose very phyla are extinct. The dawning solace is that wind and moon can’t lift salt water over continents anymore. It is harder to make tracks inland maybe, where stones aren’t beaten into the submission of sand. At least the imprints here may last, though they won’t be mine. This sand began as that mountain in the distance or some mountain that existed, as I existed before I came here. It became new even as it learned, through relentless example, to be old. My learning curve is steeper than a mountain’s. Now I know the whole, and I know a new tide runs; my choices over, mindlessly undone. Still I am renewed, my heart full. This trickle wave cannot paint old on me. Not yet. My lot has been to walk here and then leave, disremembered before my shoes were dry. Upward, that’s the way. To the moon. To this tide’s illusion. When it’s over, I’ll be back. For those who don't know: /pip/Forum3/HTML/002998.html Photo By Ed Ratledge |
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| © Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Oh Dang!!! Rat, where in the heck are you going? Oh darn... You take good care of yourself buddy! And you better write... So long friend... You'll be missed...  |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
ED, You will be missed! hurry back! home is always just a click away! ~ARH  love and hugs Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart, let me come in and show you love.....~ARH |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Sooner or later you go with the flow, and the flow goes down whatever hill there is, whether cascade, bayou, whatever, all purely a matter of circumstance like the tide coming in, pushing a river's flow the other way for a while. It got me, gravity always does. Even that backflow is a gravity thing, the moon redefining "up" for a bit. It’s an illusion, this thought of moving upstream; Flow goes down. Light goes down and its tide is called reflection. Reflections. I named a poetry column that, made the brash assumption at seventeen that I was capable of reflecting on something, rather than reprising incident rays from my surroundings. ====================================== Its not easy being a poet in the real world of non-poets.... Where ever your gifted words take you...may the view always be as amazing as that picture. take care poet sir ... see you when the tide comes back in. |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
I'll ditto JM.. may the world and time be gentle with you Ed... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Now I...I see places in the sand where the footprints have yet to be covered by water... I think I would follow them. Because I know I will find poetry there. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
I hate good-byes, always did...and so I'll simply say...outstanding this life, isn't it...go and succeed, find your desires, don't be afraid, cause your extremely loved! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
This has to be the most beautiful curtain call I have ever admired. Wherever you go...whatever you do.. be well...be safe.. I wish you Godspeed, and come back soon. ~Soft smiles & hugs, Nancy~ ~ Whatever our souls are made of, |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"My lot has been to walk here and then leave, disremembered before my shoes were dry." ...a universal truth for us all! Happy trails. |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed....The reflection in this is ageless like the ocean and just as beautiful.  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Ratleader "I'll be back" I've heard that before. Have a good trip and A stiff upper lip. You'll be missed. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I wish your lot allowed you to stay... For your talent is surpassed only by your goodness and willingness to help others find their best... I don't think I would be able to pick a favorite poem from this site... but many or most of the top contenders are yours. And they would include this... it's simply superb... even as the message leaves me mourning. Any absence is too long, my friend... I'll just hope and pray we're welcoming you back soon... for you will be mightily missed... Yours isn't the only full heart... for whatever you've received, you've given more... hurry back! *S* |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
sad news |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ed~ Oh my ... look at you~ (teacher gives this an A+++++++) In the turn of tide you will once again abide upon the shoreline of poet ...~ I will read the tide-tables daily and watch for you on each new wave that lands upon our shore~ Love you ... muchly, dearest friend~ *Huglets*  and MORE *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
quote: How true this is... Ed, I won't say goodbye though...just.. C U later  I'll miss you and your beautiful poetry m'friend. Don't be long now, k? M Beauty of the world which is soon to perish has two edges, one of laughter and one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder. (by Virginia Woolf) |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Ed, I really do hate to see this. You are very loved here by so many. Wherever your path leads you, remember that there are people here who are thinking about you. Remember that. Okay? With much love and many heart hugs, Ethel |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
well, I for one have left before, so I trully understand, but I came back...this is home...hopefully you will be back home soon too |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Very sorry. <  Grover. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big angel hugs) Oh Ed, as much as I hate to see you or any of my Passions friends leave, know that we are all wishing you the greatest journey wherever your heart roams next and I wish for you to step on many sands where crystals and agate and treasure are found and for simple blessings to find your heart wherever you go! (sigh) I hope you come back soon, we already all miss you, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ed, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "You'll find something that's enough to keep you |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
RatL., You are really mean, you know it!(just kidding) You get me addicted to your poetry and then skudittle! I have truly enjoyed your unique and innovative approaches to poetry. Thank you for gifting it to us... Sadelite |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...I miss seeing your name here, so I'm bringing this one back up to let you know. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Thanks a lot Martie for bringing this up and many thanks to you, Ed, for your wonderful poetry... I shall keep hoping to see you back here some time ... Good luck and all that... and more Regards sudhir |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
A wonderful poem. I'll miss you. -Juju |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Enjoy the beachcombing, Ed, but don't forget, the flotsam and jetsom just add to the intrigue of the scene, but don't constitute the whole picture. See you in the next wave? |
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