Ankle Deep


I took off my shoes 
and stood ankle deep
in the shallow reach and run
of the waves. I felt a sudden
cold, the slow sink of my feet
into wet sand, the gentle pull
of the outgoing tide,
then a tickle of seaweed 
as it tangled around my shin.

There are moments like this
when you become the sum
of your own sensations. 
The world was being taken in
through my feet, sipped joyously
as if each nerve was savoring 
whatever came in contact
with my skin. It was electric.

I was motion, the deep throb
of breaking waves finding 
a resonance, a seashell
imprinting an image of itself
through my heel, the freedom
of wiggling toes. I felt as if
I was being lifted
by a strange buoyancy until
the cold spread its numbing chill 
and I stepped out of the water
back into my shoes,
into my own small footprint.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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

Date: 4/2/2024 8:22:00 AM
Paul, you always bring mundane things alive in your lines. Most people would just smile at their toes sinking in the sand with each wave, but you enlighten the moments with your skillful way of delving into thoughts much deeper.
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 4/3/2024 2:29:00 AM
Thankyou my dear Lin....to receive such comment from a fellow practitioner is an honor. I often question my focus on the ordinary somewhat critically so therefore your kind words are gleefully reassuring. Thankyou my friend.
Date: 4/1/2024 6:43:00 AM
Dear Paul, You beautifully capture the essence of being fully present in a moment of sensory immersion. I loved how your imagery is evocative, drawing me into the sensation of sand between my toes, the embrace of the ocean's chill. Through your words, I felt the exhilarating pulse of life coursing through each nerve ending. It truly is the simple yet profound joy of connecting with nature's embrace. - Blessings, Daniel
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 4/3/2024 2:15:00 AM
Feel honored that you have entered so deeply and mindfully into the poem...I am very grateful to receive such informed comment. Valued, my friend.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter