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Swim

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 whispering "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)

Copyright © Tom Woody | Year Posted 2023

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Laura Breidenthal Date: 2/25/2025 2:09:00 PM Gosh this is such a thoughtful, dreamy haibun. Gorgeous work, Tom. I’m really enjoying reading more of your poems. The drifting between dreams and reality. It’s got a melancholy—yet hopeful feel which I love. Always, Laura Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 2/25/2025 2:18:00 PM I tell everyone I'm just a simple storyteller. No fancy words, light on the symbolisms. Thrilled you liked this one, especially since it was my re-entry to PS. Again lol

Andrea Dietrich Date: 2/20/2025 1:25:00 PM Revisiting a fave of mine from YOU. There are a few others but one was the recent Fireflies poem! Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 2/20/2025 2:01:00 PM Kewl

Debbie Duncan Date: 1/17/2025 4:21:00 PM Nicely done, thanks for reading my Contentment poem. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 1/17/2025 4:29:00 PM Yes ma'am hope you start writing again

Benjamin Bartley Date: 5/13/2024 5:13:00 PM I did the same as Crystal. And feel the same way. You are quite a poet. An incredible writer! You nourish my soul. Thank you. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 5/13/2024 5:15:00 PM Is it my poetry or the beer cheese soup? Jus kiddin. I'm glad you enjoyed this Ben. I consider Poe's Untimely Demise to be my best. When you get time...

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. Login to Reply 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 ~ Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/11/2023 4:15:00 PM Renewal of life... fascinating perspective. Thx

Charmaine Chircop Date: 10/2/2023 2:33:00 AM POTY.. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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) Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 8/15/2023 10:14:00 AM Muchos gracias 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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................. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 :)) Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 7/27/2023 3:02:00 PM Grateful for your visit Paul. Glad you remember the stories

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