An Ocean Bird

An Ocean Bird           by Sami Khalil

A prose poem

I’m an old sailor…

sailing to New York harbor

towards “Wall Street” dreams

swashbuckling obscured wealth

palaces in the clouds

emotionally abused poverty

sand in my shoes

sun blind to boardwalks.

 

I’m a brave soul

with second-degree burns

never listening to learn

a day tripper to heartaches

jumping off “White Cliffs”

to splash into painted dramas

Evel Knievel style

lost to time with derision.

 

Thinking back…

who cares about an old sailor

a black-footed albatross

from distant lands as it flaps its wings

needing a new one?!

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

fine pic to accompany the salt of your poem .. people come with hopes and dreams and find failures and disappointments enough to go 'round but ... a lot of successes as well .. both big and small .. your albatross needing an so searching for a new one is an ending i take with me .. thanks for sharing, Sami!
E.

[Shimmy]

A captivating and emotional journey that explores the complexities of a life lived on the edge.

[An owl on the moon]

The poem is rich with texture... salt, sand, burns, wings... each image carrying both pain and resilience. It reads like a song of survival.

[Pete]

top notch writing. brilliant. i love it. the world needs such people if for nothing else than to remind us of where we came from. it's not about the destination but rather the journey. i can taste the sea salt!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
So true and well articulated dear poet and friend.
You understood the message loud and clear.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and blessings with us.

[Sami Khalil]

I think Boston Harbour was instrumental in U.S. history and known worldwide.

[Pete]

... well we do have the uss constitution (old ironsides) in our harbor. the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, launched in 1797 ...

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
Plus the Tea Party and other famous events.

[Pete]

... indeed ...

[Sami Khalil]

God bless 🙌

[Betty Hermelee]

You are an ocean bird, hopping from one place to another, adventuring to places with different emotions, taking chances, seems like you're living your life to the fullest...not in a conventional way, but still riding the waves to where you spirit takes you...." looking back, who cares about an old sailor".... it doesn't matter who cares, except you!
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

Wowzy wood!
So true and well articulated.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and blessings with us.

[Betty Hermelee]

you are very welcome!
warmly, B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie millee.

[Betty Hermelee]

Most Welcome Sami!
Warmly, B

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is really powerful and full of emotion. You used strong and creative images like “sand in my shoes” and “a black-footed albatross” to show the pain, hope, and adventure of the sailor’s journey. It feels like a story of someone who’s been through a lot but still keeps going, even when others might not understand. The mix of dreams, struggles, and reflection makes it deep, beautiful and kind of hopeful. Well done!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and blessings with us. Glad you like it.

[Buddhistboy73]

An Ocean Bird......this is a great emotive poem that mixes mother nature with real life.....

Well written and thought provoking....hopefully someone does care about the old albatross seeking new lands....

Thanks for sharing this poem

BB73

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well articulated dear poet and friend. Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and blessings with us.

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work. You paint this scene well.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
Thank you so much dear poet and friend for the sharing and commenting.
Keep up the good works.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Quite a diversion from your sonnets, but I love the rustic feel of it. The image gave it a pulse, with the sand in my shoes, sun blind to boardwalks. Great lines, Sami. Much enjoyed!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
It is indeed.
About the plight of immigrants, past and present , leaving their distant land for a better life, to share in the American dream.
Things have changed completely and attitudes are changing completely in this country.
Thank you dear poet and friend for your time and effort.

[Kelly Scheppers]

My pleasure, Sami!

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie millee.

[Sami Khalil]

"I’m a brave soul

with second-degree burns"
SK25