I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

6 March 2015

The Colour of the Ocean

He tells me the sea is green:
the stormy ocean.

He would know,
old Navy man. But I say,   

'From the shore
or from a boat near shore

the ocean is blue,
deep blue and sparkling.

Sometimes it's greeny-blue
or on a dull day, grey.'

I live on the rim
of the oldest continent.

I have heard the stories
of the first people.

I have watched the whales
travel south

have seen the turtles
and dolphins play.

Up north we skirted whirlpools.
The tides were 30 feet high.

The ocean booms at night,
and blooms with light all day.


Submitted for Poets United's Poetry Pantry #242


35 comments:

  1. Oh, so beautiful. I so miss the changing moods and colors of the sea.

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  2. Oh, I know what you mean. The color of the ocean does change depending on the light. I really like the last stanza with 'booms' and 'blooms.' I realize, in reading your poem, I do miss the ocean.

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  3. what a connection to the ocean...i would love to see the whales or the turtles run...i have a deep connection to the ocean...i miss her too..

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  4. I especially like the way the old sailor sees the sea as green.. The lesson for me is perspective here. I love and would love to meet with whales as well.

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  5. Boom and bloom, like looking into eyes, green and all those colors and wild life too.

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  6. Seems like a beautiful story and I never want it to end:)

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  7. so much life in the ocean - and so many colors and shades as well... there's so much magic in her waves

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  8. The ocean is such an inspiration for writers probably as it has a mind of its own (with the moons help of course).

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  9. I love that last line..like a lapping wave..to know the colour is to know the ocean..beautiful

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  10. happy international women's day to you Rosemary. you bring the oceans to shore

    gracias

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  11. not really related but your poem kind of brought me back to the dress viral issue.

    i guess it's all about perspective. also, could be a metaphor on what you believe in :)

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  12. Oh my - this reads as waves skittering on the surface of the sea - Gorgeous.

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  13. Everyone's reality is relative, isn't it? This is frightening, but also enlightening, as it inspires subjective opinion, and is much more welcoming than the scary alternative.

    Beautifully composed; love the last two lines.

    Poppy

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  14. Perspective is such an wondrous thing...

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  15. What a wonderful view of the ocean ~ I love its changing colors and blooming light ~

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  16. funny how things appear to us, depending on where we are, capturing the view

    happy Sunday to you

    much love...

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  17. Fantastic....sadly, I have never seen whales (would love to see one for sure )
    "Nirvana!" [ (in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self... idyllic state]
    This is the first word I muttered to myself after sailing in the pristine waters of Andamans in India. Your poem reminds me of that trip...
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece...

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  18. Beautiful. Left me yearning to visit the coast.

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  19. I love the changeable moods of the ocean or any large body of water - I am always fascinated by the colors reflected in our little cove - beautiful poem

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  20. I love the thought of the ocean blooming, and am reminded it really does. And would LOVE to visit your continent, the oldest one. Hope I do! xo

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    1. If you ever do, make this bit of it part of the trip and come to stay with me!

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  21. Booming and blooming---yes, that's the ocean! I love this poem!

    Whirling in Baja California

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  22. I love the colors of the ocean...as a child I found the Atlantic to be more green while the Pacific more blue....but no matter the changing colors it is beautiful.

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    1. Yes, I suspected my ex-Navy friend might be talking of the Atlantic, whereas the east coast of Australia looks out on the Pacific.

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    2. Just got back from the beach...water blue green today....the ocean is magnificent at the moment with the big dark yellow moon at night....Am making the most of it before May. Love your poem.

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  23. Ah, I know what you mean by colours: grew up by Black sea, not ocean, but colors are changing throughout the day.....and to see it again - my goal...Thank you for magic of your words, Rosemary!

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  24. I love poems about the ocean and I have always wanted to go whale watching. I think it would be an amazing adventure.

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    1. Where I live, we don't have to. We are sometimes lucky enough to see them from the shore.

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  25. I really love the sense you have of the antiquity of the ocean and the land - and man's place in that environment.

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  26. high time to go to the beach again. :)
    enjoyed your very refreshing poem.

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  27. One of my favorite things is listening to the ocean waves crashing. It's so relaxing. Your beautiful words make me realize how much I miss it. Lovely writing, Rosemary :)

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  28. Love the changing colors and the light, but especially your closing lines,

    Elizabeth

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  29. Thanks for taking me out to the depths.

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  30. Such a wonderful view of the ocean...vibrant and colourful...

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