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Open Poetry #39
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Of Love and Tides
| Open Poetry #39 |
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Of Love and Tides |
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JLHunter Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557CA United States |
Of Love and Tides I wait until the summer's end to pay my respects to the waning light and the waxing emptiness inside. I always find myself barefoot in the sand, looking for any sign that you have passed this way. There! Are those footsteps farther up the beach? No, they are wind-whipped piles of sand. So on I search--as I do every summer's end. I simply cannot bear the thought of not looking. As I walk along the silent beach, I am again a lone traveler-- to a distant time and place --the moment seared into my mind-- but as real as the softly lapping waves that now whisper of my sadness and longing. As I picture you walking beside me, seabirds effortlessly slide along the crests of the waves, more skillful and edgy than any master surfer. Fearless flyers all, they remind me of you. With wingtips dipping to skim the faces of the waves --as if connecting to the ocean's deepest rhythms-- they hear the music of the ancients, and so dance on the wind in an intricate ballet; as a majestic pas de deux with the waves, a masterpiece of delicately delineated hunger and aloneness …just as you did so long ago. I can see you back then, alone in the sand, with the sun retreating into the night, a vision in alabaster-- as if God himself placed your frail beauty on a canvas --such as an inexperienced artist would do-- with a contrasting background that was too drab, and could not possibly compliment your exquisite loveliness. I wondered at your twilight meditation that fateful night, and determined that I would be so bold as to intrude upon your solitude. You were far too delicate to leave to the vagaries of a summer's end reverie and the whims of the ocean's moods. You looked relieved to see a friendly face, and friendship bloomed. Love followed soon after …but was shrouded by a secret. I never once heard you complain, but on that night when I found you on the beach you were contemplating a long, final, graceful, purposeful swim …with no return. As I learned about your illness, I was amazed at your resiliency. You felt no sorrow for yourself, but only for loved ones. That twilight contemplation when I met you was your desire to close this final act the same way that you have always finished every task; on your own terms. Despite your illness--or maybe because of it-- you loved more deeply, you loved more honestly, and you loved more purely, than any person has ever loved. Yet your greatest act of love was to allow me, at my insistence, to love you. Too soon did your frail beauty turn to simple frailty. But your beauty was always apparent, lingering beneath the surface of your ravaged body. And when the next summer came to an end, that is when you slipped away to our meeting place of love and tides. Now I walk alone, a beacon for your soul, as I anticipate your renewal and your love. I return to the same place, at the same time, and await your arrival on the tide. So long as I have the strength in my body to walk, I shall return to seek your beloved face. For I know that one day you will be here; on a summer's end, on a twilight evening, reposing on your drab, sand canvas-- a picture of health and vigor, shaming every other beautiful creature that has ever dared to live. Your alabaster beauty, as bright and inviting as any of god's creations, will return from the folds of the ocean's loving arms And we will live on this beach, apart from the world or its cares, forever. I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran [This message has been edited by JLHunter (10-21-2006 08:35 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2006 John L. Hunter - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Becky Mangrum Member
since 2006-10-18
Posts 56 |
Oh, how beautiful that is, it really touched me to the core. Really, really awesome. Thank you for sharing it. Becky |
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JLHunter Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557CA United States |
Thanks, Becky. This one was near and dear to my heart. I have actually been to that beach and marvelled at the seabirds' acrobatics. As such, I wanted it to turn out as well as I hoped. Thanks again. John xo I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
John...This is so very touching to me. I have a mountain that I go to each year for much the same reasons...in fact, the time is coming for my visit. It feels good not to be the only one.  |
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JLHunter Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557CA United States |
Hi, Martie. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I guess that writing is the way that we release some of these sad times and instead remember the wonderful memories. Bless your little heart. John xo I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"And when the next summer came to an end, that is when you slipped away to our meeting place of love and tides." you were right John I did need a kleenex a real heartbreaker beautifully done |
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JLHunter Senior Member
since 2006-10-08
Posts 557CA United States |
Thanks, TL. I didn't mean to make so many people sad, but then it was nearly a free verse, open-mic type of poem. That's just what came out. John xo I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran |
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