I Could Have...

Upon the dusty shores I watched 
the calming waves of sea debauched. 
They seem to whisper in my ear 
then motioned me to venture near. 

Now had I known to swim not sink 
I could have held the salty drink. 

I drifted deeper into sea 
then felt my spirit wander free. 
I saw a phantom fierce and wet. 
His ghostly ship was sailing yet. 
The sea surged up, its laughter hard 
and caught the seaman off his guard. 

I felt the blow of pounding waves 
that pulled me deeper into caves. 
Above me, trackless waters grew 
then turned the sea a blacker blue! 

If only I had learned to float, 
I could have grabbed that raft or boat. 

The paling smile of sandy beach, 
grew far outside my grasp or reach. 
When doomed ships wreck when oceans flare, 
a ghost must turn the swells that scare,  
and sail them first with haunting kiss 
then cast the winds that howl and hiss. 

I dare you brave this unknown vast 
to see a specter raise her mast. 
Sea goers know who's at the helm. 
For it is I who ride the realm! 

But had I learned one swimming stroke, 
I could have wrote this as a joke!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Moreno Avatar
April 15, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Nice work Celeste and congrats on your feature...Raul
Curcio Avatar
April 15, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Ha! Interesting take on the ironic - If only one had done one thing - it could have turned out differently, and laughed about it in the end. Like many of the couplets. Congrats on being featured this week.
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
April 14, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Love it! Need I say more? Congratulations on having your poem featured this week.
Austin Avatar
April 14, 2009 at 6:52 AM
Davey Jones himself couldn't have said it better. Congrats on this selection. Love, daver
Hero Aka Hero-Wilson Avatar
April 13, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Congradulations on being featured this week...My poems have been featured a few times and this week as well-It is such a neat feeling....great poem-God Bless Rhonda Kay
Brown Avatar
April 13, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week. May you have many more featured in the future. Love, Carol
De La Keur Avatar
April 13, 2009 at 6:14 AM
Congrats on being featured this week....Aleera
Mason Avatar
December 5, 2008 at 9:10 AM
WOW ... wonderful story here and most original in its perspective!! What a super writer you are Celeste!! Hope you enjoy it here at the Soup ... its been a wonderful site for me. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday!!
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
December 4, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Tales of the sea are my favorites. 30 years as a Navy Reservist I still have a love affair with the ocean. Vince
Kelly Avatar
December 2, 2008 at 8:05 AM
Great rhyming story , Celeste ....
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