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.

4 April 2016

At Brunswick Heads

That confluence of waters where
the Brunswick River meets the sea
is only a little dirty after recent rains.
Its taste is clean salt.

We swim safe
behind banks of rock.
The waves crash, out there;
in here they are sweet ripples.

I stand on a sandy bottom,
no stones to cut my feet.
Seaweed fondles my ankle;
I wriggle it easily off.

A lone galah flaps fast
toward the clouds then back.
A seagull perches alertly
upon the nearest rock.

A blue heeler pup
splashes and bounces,
chasing its boy up onto the sand.
A crow soars over the trees.













Photograph taken by Benedict Spearritt, Brunswick Heads swimming hole near the mouth of the river. Available through a Creative Commons licence.
Posted for Day 4 of April Poetry Month 2016 at 'imaginary garden with real toads': Nature Poetry. 
I took the opportunity to revise a 10-year-old draft.
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15 comments:

  1. Kerry O'Connor4 April 2016 at 20:32

    This sounds like an idyllic spot for a peaceful swim.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade4 April 2016 at 20:39

      Yes, and very popular for that reason. The photo must have been taken in winter! I've never seen the beach as empty as that. :)

      Delete
  2. Gemma Wiseman4 April 2016 at 21:15

    Sounds like a delightful place to connect with Nature and tune the spirit.

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  3. Sanaa Rizvi4 April 2016 at 21:46

    Such gorgeous images here in your verse :D
    Beautifully penned.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Outlawyer4 April 2016 at 23:05

    Ah lovely. This really fits into the tradition of nature poetry--you've handled it so well. Thanks. k.

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  5. Outlawyer4 April 2016 at 23:05

    ps - especially love that caress of seaweed. k.

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  6. Debi Swim5 April 2016 at 01:11

    A wonderful description. I esp. loved "A blue heeler pup
    splashes and bounces,
    chasing its boy up onto the sand.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ellecee5 April 2016 at 02:29

    I love your images here, I can remember swimming in an ocean inlet, this brings back fond memories, thank you,,

    ReplyDelete
  8. Raivenne5 April 2016 at 06:13

    Such an ideal scene, your words lull me. I adored the puppy.

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  9. Jim5 April 2016 at 10:47

    Nice lines, Rosemary. Makes me want to tag along. But, ...
    It might be a peaceful swim but the water is very cold. I doubt it ever gets into the 70's, our Gulf waters are almost there now. Googling will find the temps.
    ..

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade5 April 2016 at 14:07

      Ha! This is the sub-tropics. Average April sea temperatures at Brunswick Heads (far northern NSW Australia) are in the high 70s if you're measuring in Farenheit. This is mid-autumn; it'd be a lot warmer in summer.

      Delete
  10. Sherry Blue Sky5 April 2016 at 10:57

    A beautiful poem. I most love the image of the blue heeler chasing its boy.

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  11. Susie Clevenger5 April 2016 at 15:23

    A little piece of heaven. Sigh, I could use it right now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. grapeling5 April 2016 at 16:14

    lovely ~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Margaret6 April 2016 at 14:45

    This poem is a huge sigh of relaxation and pure bliss.

    ReplyDelete

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