Chaos and Calm


At the end of the breakwater
I stand between two extremes.
On one side, the bay's agitations
and hurl of water smashing
against boulders, on the other, 
the calm lick of waves 
barely rising above a ripple. 

Such division throws the mind
out of balance as if it seeks
an equilibrium, a point where
opposites are reconciled in a bland
soup of sameness. A hurried
scramble to find the predictable
in the messy tangles of chance.

The world is not like this.
Creation is born
out of the spewing throats 
of volcanoes, earth upheavals
and flooding rains then given
time in a pause to rest and put
together its masterpiece.

For us, storms, earthquakes, 
raging fires are seen as arrows 
of misfortune flung by nature
or vengeful gods. For creation
they are tools wielded out 
of a primary need, something 
beyond the grasp of mere earthly 
calibration. Praise be 
for chaos and calm,
the hammer and polish
of creation.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Turner Avatar
November 28, 2023 at 5:46 AM
I honestly think I could read your poetry all day. You always hold the reader in the palm of your hand. You are an excellent writer, Paul. This one is no exception! Much respect to you my friend:)
Willason Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 2:51 AM
I blush Daniel with such an endorsement....thankyou so much. Your support has been constant and one that has added to the plessure I find in writing...you are a valued friend.
Lawless Avatar
November 28, 2023 at 4:30 AM
And as with every great magician nature never lets you know what's really going on....Nice write Paul, a temporal tickler
Willason Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 2:46 AM
Thanks John....does the dramatic at times...wiping out the dinosaurs to give us some space. Lets hope there's no repeat in the immediate future. Cheers, Paul
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