Notes About The Poem

Last Year's Nests

Tide out ...

Swells break far and creep slow,
sweeping tender 'cross washboard flats
where they used to dance -
where they lauded the ebullience of life
in purpose ... and pairs.

Beach ballerinas, flaunting perfect line ...
toothpick legs busy as Baryshnikov 'midst the billows,
leopard mantle still as stars
while they streaked and pattered forth-and-back,
never touching the hem of the combers.

Nature has no humor, they say ...
yet 'twas a game they played with the ocean's edge,
the sand they pranced was just as cold -
just as wet and wobbly and wild ...
it served no critical purpose to shun the wash in such diligence.

Yet they were masters of the art, and graceful,
as tho' it had been thus for eons ... and of course, it had.
That very game and dance is what I miss so dearly now,
tears disguised in the salt spray on my face,
as I pull another clump of plastic ...

From last year's nests.





~ 4th Place ~  in the "Last Year's Nests" Poetry Contest, Craig Cornish, Judge & Sponsor.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Toney Avatar
December 1, 2019 at 2:05 PM
This is very powerful, Greg. A Fav for me. Congrats on your win in Craig's contest! ~Mark
Adams Avatar
December 1, 2019 at 12:59 PM
so sad that people have no compassion or regard for nature...always so much litter along the ocean's edge...sad... beautiful penning...congratulations on your win :) hugs
Hamilton Avatar
December 1, 2019 at 9:48 AM
This is great G, sad truth, I can't bear to hear how nature is being destroyed by man's stupidity...especially the plastic in the oceans. Congrats on a fine win in Craig's contest!
Na Avatar
November 30, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Congrats on your winning poem Greg
Pigeon Tart Avatar
November 27, 2019 at 9:38 PM
The beautiful horror, lovely done. You know I felt this one. Good luck in the contest, xomo!
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