Water, Air, Sea And Me

Nature has no human inhabitant that appreciates her. - Thoreau

on a humid, overcast summer day

i cross examine the harbor at low tide

the water is barely moving

like a mirror

'cept for some weak, innocent, subdued ripples

like antique, blown glass

the moon its timeless master

the air is heavy

the breeze anemic

weighing against this inlet of sea

an indiscrete duality where the two meet

like streets that intersect

both suspect

locked in a staring contest

each waiting for the other to flinch and make the first move

reminding me that everything is burdened

everything is free

trying to go its own way

all this i see

subsequent to creation in a living decree

no different than me

Author's Note

"Nature is a greater and more perfect art, the art of God; though, referred to herself, she is genius; and there is a similarity between her operations and man's art even in the details and trifles. When the overhanging pine drops into the water, by the sun and water, and the wind rubbing it against the shore, its boughs are worn into fantastic shapes, and white and smooth, as if turned in a lathe. Man's art has wisely imitated those forms into which all matter is most inclined to run, as foliage and fruit." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

I have always had a fondness for the power and mysterious ways of the ocean. There is something special and mystical about it

[Pete]

i too am fascinated by the sea as well as all of nature really. i can sit and look at it forever ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

I love nature as a whole especially at night. It is fascinating and calms me

[---]

Hey, this is a nice one Pete - your use of image is quite strong and there are a couple lines that really stood out, especially in the first stanza:

a) "i cross examine the harbor at low tide"

I like 'cross examine' here - considering the overall tone of the poem, it sets a mood of almost nonchalant analytics.

b) 'like antique, blown glass/ the moon its timeless master'

Two really nice images, in sequence - simile into metaphor.

Well done with this, it was highly enjoyable to read and, despite it being set into verse, I found myself thinking that it could easily be laid into a page or two of prose - framed in a short first person narrative and constituting a kind of portrait.

Regardless, I appreciate your taking the time to share and, once again, quite liked the citation from Thoreau.

-Ook