Calypso

A poem about letting go of love.

Calypso 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

(A Dreaming Sea)

Beneath gray skies too vast for words,

A sea stretched wide of blue,

In symphony of salt and wind,

Where time stood still in you.

The waves which whispered ancient songs,

In tears of loss and pain

Echoed in rhythm; a heartbeat's hum

In fall of mournful rain.

The air which kissed my skin with grace

As seagulls sang adrift

Weeping lay to broken heart

Of melody in gift

I stood as one, so all alone,

In vow to set you free,

And in the silence; between each breath,

My tears became the sea.

Author's Note

Nothing inspires me more to write than the ocean itself. I find it timeless and eternal, and a bit sorrowful as well. It's as intimidating a wonder as it is beautiful. It makes me feel insignificant, yet part of something greater then myself. Sure, my muse told me to say this for the clicks, but it doesn't make it any less true. Thank you for taking the time to read this poem. CLE

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

How your beautiful words hurt the heart Carlos. A real tear jerker that leaves a deep sense of loss. I admire your description of the sea and the impact it has on the emotions. Perfectly lovely, but oh so sad.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Chris for taking the time to read and comment on this poem. There was something so magical when I wrote this. Almost like it didn't come from my me at all. Like it wrote itself. Each line lyrical as if bleeding with emotion and colors of sorrow. The ocean has always had deep relevance in my life. Immediately after my father's death in 2002 I left the hospice and drove a mile away to Carmel by the sea and wept. I remember doing the same when my grandmother passed several years before. I feel the place holds my tears. That it weeps with me to comfort the sadness in my soul. Perhaps in retrospect Calypso is more about a place of Melancholy that holds our heartbreak for us all so that we may better appreciate lost love in our lives and treasure its significance more and grants us the grace to continue loving despite the pain of loss. Thank you truly for sharing your thoughts with me as I value and appreciate them very much. CLE

[Ayesha Faiz]

Your poem is deeply emotional and beautifully written. It flows like the sea you describe calm, sad, and full of feeling. The way you connect nature with your emotions is powerful. It’s gentle, but it stays with you and makes you feel emotions. Lovely work.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly for your comment, Ayesha. In most of my writing I tend to be very emotive in my poetic structure. I feel that it is important for art to have that emotional quality to it that resonates in a reader's heart. Where they can see themselves in the words or feel them in the journey they are being taken on. Poetry demands the heart's attention because we create it from a place of love. If is an intimate process every poet goes through creating their art. It demands a lot from us bringing these words to life. If I can touch one reader's heart with a poem I wrote than to me that makes the work a success. Thank you so much again.

[Ayesha Faiz]

Yes, you’re exactly right... that’s what truly makes us poets, poets. We pour our emotions, experiences, and thoughts into words, shaping them in a way that speaks directly to the heart and soul. It’s that emotional connection, that ability to make someone feel seen or understood, which gives poetry its power. Without that depth and sincerity, the words would simply be ink on a page, but with it, they become something living that resonates within the reader. You've explained it really well what every writer wishes to achieve.

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful work. Reminds me of Robbinson Jeffers...Superb

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Thomas, I had no idea how this piece of writing would be viewed by others. If it would resonate or find a place and audience that could see any kind of beauty from it. Sometimes we write from a place outside ourselves without knowing what will come from the words. When I read it now I see so many layers within it. I don't feel it's mine, nor that it ever was. That it was simply a whisper I dictated in the early hours of morning. In pieces that I had to stitch together for coherence. The final stanza being the first words written before the rest flowed into existence. I feel this isn't mine, but I'm eternally thankful that its beauty resonates with others. CLE

[Desert Knave]

The last two lines speak volumes. Very nicely done. ~Jim

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Jim, for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem. I really appreciate it. Funny thing is the last two lines were the first thing I wrote on this poem. And it was written at 3 am while I was trying to sleep. It's just the way inspiration works I guess. Thank you so much again. CLE

[Laz K.]

this poem made me visualize someone scattering the ashes of a loved one into the sea. it is a love poem, but also an elegy. that's my interpretation. :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Laz, for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem. I can totally see that as well in this poem. It does feel a bit like a requiem to profound loss. In many ways love is like that when it ends. It often leaves with a whisper. Your interpretation is very insightful and one that's granted me new perspective on this poem. This was one that just seemed to write itself. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. CLE

[c4ssiopeia]

i'll always love poems about nature & greek mythology (together or separately), and this one is definitely added to the list. i really loved the line "Where time stood still in you.". gorgeous!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your comment on this poem. I'm also a fan of mythology as well. Always been fascinated by the fact that tales written centuries ago still have such resonance in today's world. Their meanings touching upon the deepest parts of what makes us human. Especially when it comes to the ways of Love. CLE

[Amanda Renee]

I love all of it but my favorite is, "Where time stood still in you."

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your kind words, Amanda. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on this poem. It is funny you should mention that particular line. I went back and forth on it at several passings during my editing. It changed from 'for you' to the current version 'in you '. And for the few months working on it between other writings I kept going back and forth because despite it being such a little change it did make a difference. Love is timeless and eternal so when we love someone they become those things to us. Forever. Much is owed to the story of Calypso but also as writers when we create a bit of our own personal philosophy seems to bleed into the work. Without that line that anchors the beginning the final line of the poem wouldn't carry as much weight in finality. Next to my older poem 'the Serpent and the Holy Man ' this poem is probably one of my better writings that I feel is complete. It was a joy to watch it come to life. Thank you again for your words. CLE

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The title drew me in. Calypso was the name Jacque Cousteau's ocean research vessel and I watched every episode his TV show as a kid. I was always wild about nature. You really made this a poignant goodbye to a lost love; dreamy but sad. A good write.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Fabian for sharing your thoughts with me on this short poem. I too used to watch the Jacque Cousteau series that entranced me as a youth. It is probably why I have this profound love of the sea when writing. Also, I'm forever moved by the haunting song Calypso by John Denver. Every time I hear that beautiful melody and those almost spiritual words of the lyrics I'm reminded of how complimentary music and poetry are entwined with one another. How I'm taken back to my childhood standing on a sand dune looking out to sea wishing I were a sailor gliding upon the grace of her waves. She is a lost love I forever hold to heart. Also, the Little River Band's song Cool Change has that same effect on me as well. CLE

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We must be kindred spirits.

[An owl on the moon]

I also love the ocean... everything it is... in vastness and intimacy... and yes... the sense of eternity there. Your poem captures it all so well... and sets it all free too... the beautiful, bittersweet sea.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on this poem. I couldn't have described its meaning more perfectly than you have in your words. I truly appreciate it. CLE

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This reminds me of Tennyson or Wordsworth...it is simply beautiful in its visual and movement.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you J, you truly honor me with your kind words. This poem took months to compose with the last couplet being the first lines written. I had no idea where it was going. I would put it aside while writing some other work and return to it periodically. It drew inspiration from the tale of Odysseus and Calypso, yet reflected more. It spoke of love and letting go which is eternal each heart. If when the day comes and I can no longer write poetry then this will speak of how I feel. Thank you kindly, my friend, for sharing your thoughts with me. CLE