All That I Have Taken In

At day's end, I take in the last light
seeping into the dark waters
across the bay and keep it here.
I gather the sound of departing gulls
smudged on the sky, the quietening
settle of birds in the cypress trees 
along the foreshore, the giggle 
of a child high on a swing
being pushed by a mothers hand. 

I hold here the gentle sweep
of waves soaking into wet sand,
the slow roll of seaweed, bubbles
bursting around shells, wings
low over the water.
I draw in the evening and keep
it close with its lights 
sprinkled around the edges 
of the headland, 
emerging stars hung soundless
in the heavens, the blinking 
passage of a southbound airplane 
heading into a long night.
From somewhere, the smell
of honeysuckle spilling 
into the waiting air.

I make my way home, filled
with all that I have taken in,
having little space left over
to fit myself.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Mac Donald Avatar
September 15, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Oh, thank you so much for. having shared this beautiful write! The Soup has been blessed by another wonderful poet! :)
Nair Avatar
September 12, 2026 at 12:44 AM
The poem evokes a feeling of nostalgia but also something that's everlasting at the same time. The emotion behind the seemingly simple words comes through honestly
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Thankyou Priya for your kind words....value your feedback. Take care, Paul
Haywood Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Very nice, Paul. To me an observation can include touch, smell, feel, taste and listening. I absorb the day,or a moment in time, as your poem depicts. It is fresh and soothing. Sometimes small things are missed, but there's always another time. - Christopher "Chris" Haywood
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Thoughtful comments Christopher...valued. Appreciate your feedback, a good vitamin shot for an old poet. Take care, Paul
Ray Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 11:11 AM
a mild walk in the shift is ending, breathing in the vista....loved it, thank you for sharing
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Thanks Timothy for reading the poem and commenting. Very much appreciated. Take care, Paul
Akun Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 7:49 AM
This is truly beautiful, home filled with mundane yet meaningful and beautiful things, packed with beautiful memories.
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Appreciate your kind words my friend. Regards, Paul
Akun Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Thank you for sharing
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Hi Andreas, Many thanks for reading the poem. Cheers, Paul
Toney Avatar
July 17, 2023 at 9:41 AM
Hi, Paul. I read this last Thursday and Faved it, but didn't have time to comment because I was preoccupied with celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend! I missed commenting during your Poem of the Day honors, but I'm back with belated congratulations. To me, the beauty of this poem is that it draws us in, to experience what you experienced as if we were there with you. Every time I read it I'm left feeling mellow and at peace with the world. Thank you for that.
Toney Avatar
July 17, 2023 at 7:42 PM
July 14, 1973, for us. What a coincidence. Cheers!
Willason Avatar
July 17, 2023 at 4:16 PM
Thankyou Mark for kind words and for entering into the poem to share the experience. So pleased that it made that connection and was welcoming. By coincidence, my wife and I celebrated our 45th anniversary on the 14th. Your support appreciated Mark, regards, Paul
Baker Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 11:45 PM
Back once more to read this fine example of your poetry, Paul, and to congratulate you and your poem for making it to the top 100 poems at PoetrySoup, my friend. Write On! Bill Baker
Willason Avatar
July 17, 2023 at 6:18 AM
Always a welcomed friend Bill, many thanks for coming back for seconds on the poem, your support is greatly valued. Must check the top 100....thanks for pointing out. Keep well my friend.
Meadows Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 10:53 PM
A lovely poem. Well written.
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Thanks Jeanette for you kind words...Paul
Nicole Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 8:05 PM
Paul, you've taken me on such a beautiful journey with your words. Nature is very inspiring, and those moments within, if you truly look around and embrace them. Your thoughts leave me in complete awe. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. Many wonderful blessings to you. :) Hugs, Brandy
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:34 PM
Indeed appreciate your kind words and feedback...always humbling, but at the same time most enjoyabe, to learn a poem managed to speak and convey feeling. Thankyou, sincerely valued. Paul
Elless Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 7:14 PM
Paul, the visual on this poem is superb. Congratulations on Your POTD Keep Rolling.
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Thankyou R J. Appreciate your feedback and congratulatory note...valued. kind regards, Paul
Edmonds  Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 5:45 PM
A perfect ending to the day, told in the most exquisite way. Lovely poetry Paul. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Belle
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:26 PM
Pleased that the poem resonated....thankyou for reading and providing such lovely feedback...makes the POTD honor meaningful in real way. Take care, Paul
M  Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 2:17 PM
Congratulations Paul on POTD! Life viewed through poetic eyes written beautifully into poetic words! Masterful…..Debx
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:11 PM
Thanks Deb, as always, value your words and positive support. Pleased the poem caught your eye, ...Paul
Goldsmith Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 2:17 PM
Congratulations on your POTD win. A lovely write. Have a blessed weekend with your win.
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:14 PM
Thankyou Paula for your congratulatory note and kind comments. Very much appreciated, regards , Paul
Parker Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Excellent piece, Paul. POTD 2 b sure. :o)
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Many thanks Arlo for stopping by and leaving your note. Appreciated, Paul
Slaughter Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Paul, this is really quite beautiful...and I'm so glad that it is now part of "all that I have taken in" today. A well-deserved selection for POTD.
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:06 PM
Thanks Jim....feel honored that the poem was "taken in" and treated with such generosity. Value you comments...take care, Paul
Kitchin Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 9:39 AM
Paul, a wonderfully penned poem, love the introspection in this one, your poetry is exquisite, congratulations on POTD!
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 5:02 PM
Thankyou Tania...your comments valued. Pleased that the poem was a welcomed visitor into your reading space and given your time, appreciated. Regards, Paul
Baker Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 9:01 AM
Lovely imagery and the last four line sentence is powerful and insightful. Congratulations on your POTD, Paul. Enjoy your special day of recognition. Bill
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Thanks Bill for visiting with your kind words and observations....much valued. Indeed have enjoyed the generosity of so many of the Soup family in providing such positive feedback. Regards
Rodrigues Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 8:32 AM
Very nice, Paul! Loved the journey of nature then the wafting scent of honeysuckle. Love the last line!! Congratulations on POTD!
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 4:52 PM
Thankyou Kim for entering into the poem and bringing along your encouraging words....much appreciated. Pleased the last line resonated...regards, Paul
Lawrence Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 7:37 AM
Beautiful words, images, sights, sounds and magical nuances from your heart dear Paul . The sensitivity in which you write and convey your thoughts is one of a true artist . Bravo ! Congratulations on your POTD! Susan :)
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 6:53 AM
Quite overwhelmed by your generous comments Susan. No hiding the fact that such positive feedback is a source of encouragement and enjoyment, critical for the poet to keep going. Indeed appreciate the feedback, Paul
Lane Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Paul, all of your poetic creations are worthy of a potd honor. Your lines always allow me to see through your eyes... the beauty of the world around us that our eyes note, but only a poet such as you can make a reader feel, as though seeing and feeling what you do, is our own experience..."gentle sweep of waves soaking into wet sand." Most people who claim to be a poet would've written, 'seagulls swooped for fish instead of "wings low over the water." I appreciate your level of artistic poetry.
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 6:36 AM
Feel very honored by your generous words Lin. A privilege to provide eyes through which the world can be felt in its uniqueness and moreover, have the reader enter into that space. Thankyou for stepping in, take care, Paul
Ray Choudhury Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 6:40 AM
This is a stunning piece of sublime poetry you have created! Loved every amazing line - every image! I will read it couple of times to take in every picture! To my Faves. Congratulations on your POTD!
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 6:26 AM
Too kind in your praise Malabika but very much valued....a sense of achievement in getting a little magic into a poem. Thankyou very much....taue care, Paul
Kaufman Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 6:30 AM
Congratulations on this superb POTD Paul. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Nancy
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 6:22 AM
So pleased Nancy that you found the poem a worthwhile read and that it conveyed something meaninful....such feedback motivates the hand to look for a pen. Regards, Paul
Sambourne Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 6:09 AM
Beautifully written, Paul. So many images of nature's bounty superbly linked like flowers in a field. Best wishes + congratulations! Brian
Willason Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 6:17 AM
Thanks Brian for such positive feedback and congratulatory note Good to learn that the words nailed the imagery and came together. Paul
Calasibetta Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 5:46 AM
What a beautiful picture you have painted with your palette of words. Congratulations on your POTD! Paulette
Willason Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 8:43 PM
Thanks Paulette for your positive comments. Quite overwhelmed by the response to this little poem. Feel honoured that you gave your time to read and provide feedback. Take care, Paul
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace