Home » Poems » Tom Woody » Swim

Swim

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Tom Woody.

I watch a golden sun slowly rise above the eastern sea and my thoughts naturally drift to her. I wonder what she is doing, and if she ever dreams of me. A southern breeze gently caresses my skin and fills my lungs with salty sea air. The tide ebbs back and forth, relaxing me and at the same time stirring my curiosity. Does each incoming tide bring back the same water that ebbed away, or has it been renewed? And I wonder what it means to be truly born again. About twenty yards to my right a drifter rolls up his sleeping bag. His well-worn knapsack is stuffed with everything he owns in this life. I ponder: Has he ever been in love? Ever felt warmth from the tiny hand of a child? Ever beheld big brown orbs staring back at him screaming "I love you?" For a moment our eyes lock. His are deep-set and steely blue, like the sea before me. Wrinkles are etched into his face from years of hard living, I guessed. My thoughts once again turn inward. It is safe here on my side of the ocean. But have I really learned what it means to live, to swim in unchartered waters, to bathe in crystal streams heretofore hidden from my heart? From a distance I espy the returning tide. Maybe I'll go out with the next. See where it takes me. Maybe, just maybe, I will learn how to swim for the first time, again. Melancholy thoughts transport me across the sea where the dream begins * photo quote: "And so you see I have come to doubt all that I once held as true. I stand alone without beliefs, the only truth I know is you..." - Kathy's Song (Simon and Garfunkel)

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Crystol Woods

Date: 4/30/2024 9:06:00 AM

Thought I'd visit the first poem I see in your feed... it's beautiful Tom. Thoughtful, deep, provocative, and relatable.

Tom Woody
Date: 4/30/2024 3:06:00 PM

Much thanks for your interest in my writing Crystol

P.M. Richter

Date: 11/29/2023 9:55:00 PM

Such a profound journey ~

Tom Woody
Date: 11/30/2023 5:46:00 AM

Never taken. Sigh. Thx much

Weston Gregory

Date: 10/11/2023 4:04:00 PM

A thought provoking discovery await in the depth of these experience and this piece touch on the exploration well yearn for. " I believe in the renewal because of the life offering of the vast expanse of the ocean.

Tom Woody
Date: 10/11/2023 4:15:00 PM

Renewal of life... fascinating perspective. Thx

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 10/11/2023 3:07:00 PM

powerful feelings and emotions here. I love Kathy's Song...was perfect match for your poem. I love the subtle interaction of 'her' and the narrator of the poem. The Haiku at the end resonated with me. Sometimes my melancholy thoughts transport me to another time and place...where I can find new inspiration. Am faving this one, Tom. Sara

Tom Woody
Date: 10/11/2023 4:14:00 PM

Inspiration can indeed be found in diverse places. Thx so much

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 10/2/2023 2:33:00 AM

POTY..

Tom Woody
Date: 10/2/2023 5:07:00 AM

Poem of the year? Wow thanks Charmaine. That would be cool if there was such a thing. Always happy to see you here

Kelli White

Date: 9/27/2023 3:40:00 AM

Such emotions and feelings beautiful,Kelli

Tom Woody
Date: 9/27/2023 5:55:00 AM

Grateful thx

Sam Scott

Date: 9/8/2023 5:33:00 AM

This is wistful and conjures up emotions. Love it. (a little S&G icing too, bravo)

Tom Woody
Date: 9/8/2023 5:42:00 AM

Thanks Sam. Yes those old songs still resonate

Sabahat Batool

Date: 8/28/2023 8:40:00 PM

Beautiful composition mingled with the hues of nature that are eternal which will last till Doomsday

Tom Woody
Date: 8/29/2023 5:50:00 AM

So glad you came Sabahat

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/17/2023 2:39:00 PM

You do so well with prose. I enjoy prose too. I wish I could write free verse like a few poets here that I admire but I think being able to write proficiently in prose with clarity is a skill here kind of overlooked

Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 2:42:00 PM

Charlotte is amazing. Lady Labyrinth is ultra amazing and silent one is a great free verser. As for me, I try to be as eclectic as possible, but I'm just a storyteller at heart. I still remember the awesome poem that you wrote about the homeless gal who wished she was the one being fussed over. It won my contest

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/15/2023 10:10:00 AM

Descriptive and expressive work you have penned in this self-examination. I enjoyed reading it today. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara

Tom Woody
Date: 8/15/2023 10:14:00 AM

Muchos gracias sara

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/15/2023 3:43:00 AM

Hi Tom--Haibuns are one of my favorite forms of poetry and you've created a beautiful one full of poignant imagery and thoughts. I sincerely liked your ending and the reference to Kathy's Song. Simon & Garfunkel = woot! woot!

Tom Woody
Date: 8/15/2023 5:16:00 AM

Woot woot times two. Thx Sara

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/14/2023 2:12:00 PM

A belated welcome to the soup. This is a good way to introduce yourself. You are a good story teller. Thanks for your visit and comment.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/14/2023 2:46:00 PM

This one has an interesting inspiration. Close to home. Thx Richard

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 8/7/2023 7:12:00 PM

lovely write

Tom Woody
Date: 8/8/2023 5:05:00 AM

I'll take lovely, Yolanda

Sabahat Batool

Date: 8/7/2023 11:02:00 AM

Beautiful composition with magical words that stir the deep thoughts, especially the lines Melancholy thoughts Transport me across the sea Where the dream begins

Tom Woody
Date: 8/7/2023 11:06:00 AM

Thanks so much. Somewhere in the distance, a small island calls my name...

Christina Bowring

Date: 8/7/2023 6:41:00 AM

A gorgeous poem Tom- you are clearly a great storyteller expressed throughout your poetry.I particularly liked the last couple of lines. Thank you for sharing.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/7/2023 7:08:00 AM

Gracias

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/3/2023 2:21:00 PM

A wonderful write/picture. Love your line, "A southern breeze gently caresses my skin and fills my lungs with salty sea air." Wish you would write more. Have a blessed day writing away.................

Tom Woody
Date: 8/4/2023 6:13:00 PM

I'll be posting more, for sure. Thx Paula

Paloma Walker

Date: 8/2/2023 10:57:00 PM

This was a beautiful read. Thank you for sharing.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/3/2023 4:51:00 AM

Thanks Paloma. I'm rather happy with this one

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/1/2023 5:56:00 AM

I like this one which is filled with emotion. I could feel the presence of the scene and it calmed me down. Thank you for sharing it with us and for dropping by my page. Sara

Tom Woody
Date: 8/1/2023 6:00:00 AM

Yes ma'am and you're welcome. Thx

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/31/2023 6:28:00 AM

A very lovely write, Tom! True poetry that helps us drift right along with your thoughts and the stranger in the midst. Fave for me!

Tom Woody
Date: 7/31/2023 6:31:00 AM

I'm so happy this one resonated kim

Maria Williams

Date: 7/28/2023 11:14:00 PM

Beautiful thoughts penned so eloquently my friend. We all have our dreams . Maybe just maybe you should take that plunge. All the best

Tom Woody
Date: 7/29/2023 5:49:00 AM

Thank you Maria

Elena Mihalachi

Date: 7/28/2023 5:56:00 AM

It felt so warm of soul and nice to read your poem. Thank you for sharing

Tom Woody
Date: 7/28/2023 6:09:00 AM

If it made you warm then I'm happy

Susan Woodrow

Date: 7/27/2023 3:13:00 PM

Good to have you back :) this write takes me back to the years of swimming uncharted waters and nearly drowning several times! I still love to swim but I make a rough sketch first then dip my toes gingerly before the maybe… enjoyed your haibun :))

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 3:33:00 PM

The only repellent I know is a harpoon between the eyes, and I ain't got one

Susan Woodrow
Date: 7/27/2023 3:25:00 PM

Just don’t wear any flashy jewels lol I thought someone had invented a repellent for those scary beasts ?

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 3:16:00 PM

I've been dipping my toes in of late but there be too many dang sharks! Yipe

Paul Callus

Date: 7/27/2023 2:49:00 PM

Hi Tommy! I haven't been very active on Soup lately, but I spotted your presence (literally) from miles away :) You being a poet and storyteller did well to deliver your thoughts by means of a Haibun. Much enjoyed. Regards // paul

Tom Woody
Date: 7/27/2023 3:02:00 PM

Grateful for your visit Paul. Glad you remember the stories

Warren Doll

Date: 7/25/2023 2:35:00 PM

Tom, wonderful poetry. A warm welcome to Poetry Soup. Best~ Warren

Tom Woody
Date: 7/25/2023 2:40:00 PM

Appreciated

Joanna Daniel

Date: 7/25/2023 9:54:00 AM

Awesome poetry here, Tom, welcome to PS:)

Tom Woody
Date: 7/25/2023 12:18:00 PM

Thanks and thanks