Paper Ocean

Paper Ocean (August 4, 2023) reflects on writing as a way of bringing order to chaos, the irony of self-awareness, and that experience does not always lead to clarity.

Words flow on their own,

drifting over fleeting waves,

yet the touch of the pen 

hands the helm to reason -

they shift course,

inscribed on a paper ocean.

As if ruled by their own law,

they glide from feeling,

until the ink trail no longer runs

across the torn page.

They drift onward -

safer now - beneath metaphor’s veil.

Silver-tongued, but less emotionally effusive;

echoes stir softly, precise, measured.

Land appears -

formed of ink blotches.

A puzzle, childishly simple at first glance,

unfolds a greater horizon -

waiting with amusement

for you to see

that all the pieces were always there,

uncovered - long ago, in silence.

I look at them today

as if seeing them for the first time.

When was the image whole?

When did I begin to build another?

And maybe I would laugh too,

knowing the answer -

but we - the captains of our own fates,

sailing with a handful of clues.

We catch stray pieces,

and wonder why they never fit.

Yet water remains colorless,

and grass will never blush pink.

The heart races ahead of meaning,

while reason arrives too late.

With age I realize -

that the more voyages I take,

the less I know

than the younger captain 

I once was.

And only one discovery seems certain -

Life is easier to judge

when, in the glass case of experience,

dust fills the empty shelves.

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Such a intelligently laid poem, using linguistic words and phrases as an academic force rather than gentle folds of poetry that show an invisible visual. Sense?

'And only one discovery seems certain -
Life is easier to judge
when, in the glass case of experience,
dust fills the empty shelves.'

[Marlé A. Maria]

Thank you for your thoughtful reading.
The poem intentionally leans toward structure and intellectual restraint - the emotional undercurrent is meant to move quietly beneath it.
I appreciate you taking the time to engage with it.

[R J Askew]

Captivating piece of musing. Those damn words! Always there, yet seldom there for us however hard we try. And when we do manage to catch a few we are often still left with the feeling that we may not have served them well and that they deserve better. But we do what we can and of course we can't stop doing it. The journey you describe is out lot. But it's a good lot as we love those damn words! You got me thinking and held my attention.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We each use our personal experiences in determining what is useful; what is possible, what is beneficial and what is destructive but the concepts are not mutually exclusive, one of the other. A hurt can reveal a truth and a pleasure can reveal a flaw. We cannot judge life outside of our own knowledge and perspective. But we can consider that our personal experiences are not the whole of what can be had or known. I have a lesson I teach to my kids. I show them something and ask if there is a certain color or marking on it. They always say no and I turn the object around so they can see the very thing they denied. They always become defensive saying, "But I couldn't see that side!" I point out, EXACTLY, just because you can't see a thing doesn't mean it isn't there and a change of perspective might alter everything you think you know, so keep an open mind. After all, hearts and minds are like books and parachutes; they only work when they are open.

[Marlé A. Maria]

I’m truly grateful for this reflection. The story you shared about turning the object around is especially meaningful - such a gentle yet profound reminder of how easily we mistake the limits of our sight for the limits of reality. I admire the way you conveyed this lesson - such quiet echoes often mature within a person over time.
I think you’re right - hearts and minds only develop when they remain open. Thank you for sharing something so thoughtful and personal.

[Davidgeo]

You are good at life. I'm glad you can write.

[Marlé A. Maria]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.

[Brandon Houser]

This is very rich and alive with a love of the flowing word. I get the feeling it will take on different meanings each time it is read, maybe even to the same person. A very rewarding piece!

[Marlé A. Maria]

I'm touched by the way you experienced the poem. I love that you felt the layers flowing beneath the lines - it’s wonderful to hear that the poem feels alive, and open to discovery.
Even though I wrote it some time ago, it still resonates with me today, which is why I share it.