Footnotes In the Sand

Strewn on the shoreline, as I walk along the beach
Bits and pieces of life forms, churned up from beneath
Shells, jellyfish, crustaceans, even sea anemones
What was alive yesterday, lays shredded in the weeds

Hard to fathom what happens, below ocean waves,
One big stewing pot, perhaps a connoisseurs buffet,
Before me are remnants, of this very watery grave,
4 billion years of evolution, I’m the apex that surveys,

Take a second to absorb, let my observation sink in,
No creature other than humans, come here to think,
Many have walked this path, maybe even to swim,
I only see gulls now, pulling starfish limb from limb,

Humanity tries to discern nature, a need to understand,
Figure out what the hell’s going on, in our wonderland,
Where’d that seed come from, who’s really in command,
The biggest question of all, was anything ever planned,

A moment of clarity, really hits me over the head,
Why me, an individual, but one of unknown depth, 
Sitting on the sand now, drawing in, rigid breaths,
What’s it all about God, come on please confess,

Voice in my head says, people are the chosen ones,
I’ve seen this very instant, before the universe begun,
But nothing was planned, when all is said and done,
I see what’s going to happen, you design how it comes. 


10/18/20 original post
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 11 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney 
08/09/22
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020


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Date: 10/19/2020 12:52:00 PM
One if not your best David.. Its the antithesis of searching the skies above yet haven't even bothered to try discovered what lies beneath or within our oceans. You pose the question of what value a lifeform has if it is not intelligent
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Flaherty Avatar
Christopher Flaherty
Date: 10/20/2020 12:09:00 PM
My pleasure David i hope so learning or being taught shoud be seen and viewed as a privilege. And likewise i have learned a lot from you. So i am grareful to have found a kindred soul to continue such a pressing and engaging search along with
Kavanagh  Avatar
David Kavanagh
Date: 10/19/2020 1:13:00 PM
Hopefully we can keep bouncing off each other you’ve certainly pushed me further along, with Your own inimitable Poetry and comments, but like everything in life it’s still a learning process, thanks again Christopher.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 10/19/2020 1:08:00 PM
You’ve got it in a nutshell Christopher I’m not trying to belittle lifeforms of any kind I love nature, but I just cannot bridge the gap with human intelligence were so different from other species even if genetically virtually the same, I really appreciate that comment especially coming from a mind like yours, cheers David
Flaherty Avatar
Christopher Flaherty
Date: 10/19/2020 12:57:00 PM
Davey my mate i am happy to say and admit the more you go in personal search you are growing and improving as a writter in leaps and bounds. Congrats well done credit where credit is due
Date: 10/17/2020 8:00:00 PM
David, I feel you have reached another brilliant level here. Presented as a keen observation of nature, neatly you unfold life's biggest question. Absolutely impressive writing. 'chosen ones' pinnacles the pondering. Could our sophistication have been acquired by chance? I am a fan of your balance between romance and rationale. I rather like to dabble in both when viewing the fascinating array of forms. A huge write, wrapped beautifully, David.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 10/18/2020 5:58:00 AM
your probably right I’m god fearing but agnostic at the same time, maybe it’s a cop out, but honestly can’t accept nihilism not even sure who’s in my head in that last verse, I was born into the R/C church here in Ireland, we where all brainwashed back then Sigrid, but I think it still rubs off on me, can’t help it, but hey I’m cool with that, I’m just delighted someone intelligent and creative as you enjoys my stuff, thanks again cheers David
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 10/18/2020 5:07:00 AM
- D'you know what? Your content is so gripping, having just come back for another read, apt and smart rhyme just noticed now..... Invisible rhyme, excellent! - last stanza seems to deliver. Yes, I think when all is on the line, you're God fearing. There's the comfort. It's grounding to have.
Kavanagh  Avatar
David Kavanagh
Date: 10/18/2020 4:47:00 AM
I hope this alternate ending is more apt if not, a little cryptic, But I believe there’s an answer within that last line.
Kavanagh  Avatar
David Kavanagh
Date: 10/18/2020 12:58:00 AM
I really am blessed with your encouraging comments Sigrid, the last stanza needs more its not what I intended, might have to rewrite if I can find the words, I felt it was flowing well up to that point, That’s the beauty of poetry we can always try again, thank you so much for taking the time to craft such creative meaningful comments cheers David
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