Notes About The Poem

Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon - Mile 11
Sponsor: Mark Toney

May 25, 2025, Entered in the Contest, "Your Favorite #3"   Sponsor, Seth Pina

 

The Baptism


Like a baptismal rite, the waters flow 
upon the sandy shore marred by the feet 
of travelers. There, in the golden glow
of sun, where sky and land and ocean meet,
each scar is washed away by the deep reach
of faithful waves, poured from the font-like sea;
here liquid spirit bathes the pitted beach
and leaves behind unblemished purity.

I walked along the water's edge and saw
the prints I made, which in so short a time
were gone- the shore, agleam without a flaw,
and I exulted in the holy clime-

As if my soul, like scarred and trampled sand,
was mended by the hallowed sea's great hand.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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12
Watt Avatar
August 16, 2022 at 11:02 PM
Sandra, I have always enjoyed your sonnets since the first time I read one back in 2016, though apparently I missed this one before. You have amazing skill for telling a captivating tale within the confines of the sonnet's cozy room. Your spiritual overtones of healing merge with the powerful effect upon the human soul that waves have. The water smoothing the trampled sand makes such a powerful metaphor for healing. I love it ~ going in my faves. Congrats for your win ~ John
Haight Avatar
August 26, 2022 at 8:41 AM
Thank you very much, John, for your visit, congrats, and very uplifting and much-appreciated comments! Sandra
Ashley Avatar
August 14, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Dear Sandra, such inspiring beauty! Your couplet is a grand finale to an enchanting sonnet filled with earthly and spiritual splendor. Congratulations for your excellent win in Marks's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Haight Avatar
August 26, 2022 at 8:39 AM
Thank you again, dear Susan, for your congrats, and your always wonderful words of support! Hugs, Sandra
Toney Avatar
August 12, 2022 at 12:37 PM
Sandra, what a powerful simile comparing "the waters flow upon the sandy shore" to "a baptismal rite." You carry the comparison beautifully throughout the poem, to the splendid conclusion in the rhyming couplet. You are looking for more than pebbles and shells when you go walking on the beach! Congratulations on your win on Mile 11 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 12 has already started!
Haight Avatar
August 26, 2022 at 8:38 AM
Thank you again, Mark, for offering this Poetry Marathon Contest and choosing this poem to be on thw winning list! I appreciate that and your very uplifting and supportive comments. Sandra
Mcgee Avatar
May 7, 2021 at 12:10 PM
The last two lines are sublime. Congrats on your win with your lovely poem.
Alex Avatar
May 4, 2021 at 10:41 AM
Congratulations!
Seeker Avatar
May 4, 2021 at 8:13 AM
Wow! Captivating insight! Congrats, Sandra!
Devonshire Avatar
May 4, 2021 at 7:34 AM
What a beautiful sonnet, Sandra! Technically, the poem is flawless, and the message of the sea's cleansing power to erase the traces of beachcombers' footprints is amazing. Congratulations on a well-deserved, first-place win! Hugs, Carolyn
Scars Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 11:20 AM
beautiful sonnet sweet Sandra! Congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
Leiser Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 9:25 AM
Wonderful poem of all those footprints in the sand written by your poetic hand, Sandra! Congrats on your win :)
Canerdy Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 8:12 AM
SO beautiful--a favorite! Congrats, Sandra. Janice
Rodrigues Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 8:01 AM
Lovely! 7 my friend, Sandra!
Krampe Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 6:01 AM
Sandra, congrats on your win. I love you sonnet. Fave. Agnes
A   Avatar
January 28, 2016 at 9:41 PM
SANDRA, Congrats on your awesome win. I'm so behind here, the SEA theme is perfect. Love LINDA
A  Avatar
January 18, 2016 at 11:25 PM
Sandra, Congratulations on your Fine Sea win... Stop by my latest blog "This is HOW I FEEL" if you'd like. LOVE SKAT
Haight Avatar
January 19, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Thanks, Skat. Sandra
A. Sharma Avatar
January 18, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Very wonderful write Sandra... loved reading this morning.. congrats on big win!
Haight Avatar
January 19, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Thank you so much, Dr. Upma. Hugs, Sandra
Maverick Avatar
May 19, 2015 at 1:03 AM
Congratulations Sandra on the resultant placement achieved..'
A   Avatar
May 16, 2015 at 2:52 PM
Sandra, Congratulations on your Memory of the sea win. LUV LINDA
Haight Avatar
May 26, 2015 at 8:14 PM
Thank you so much, Linda. Hugs, Sandra
A  Avatar
May 16, 2015 at 10:25 AM
nice win
Relish Avatar
May 16, 2015 at 2:13 AM
A well written poem my friend... congrats
Haight Avatar
May 26, 2015 at 8:14 PM
Hi Poesy, thank you so much for stopping with your nice comment and congratulations! Hugs, Sandra
Ebbs Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 9:50 PM
Nicely written Sandra, Congrats!
Haight Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 10:01 PM
Thank you, Ed, for your nice comments and support. Sandra
Roper Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 8:28 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful win
Haight Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 10:00 PM
Hi Eve, so nice of you to stop by with your congrats! I appreciate it so much. Hugs, Sandra
Konos Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 2:11 PM
How lovely and more so the Lord blessed us with memories.....AMEN....
Haight Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 9:59 PM
Hi Judy, thank you so much for stopping by with your nice comment. I am pleased that you like my poem! Hugs, Sandra
May Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 1:34 PM
Great write and win Sandra, Congrats
Haight Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 9:57 PM
Thank you Joseph! I appreciate your visits and nice comments. Sandra
Allison Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 12:27 PM
This is simply stunning Sandra - I love the imagery - amazing you didn't experience walking on the beach until your mid 20's - I was about 5 the first time I saw the sea - now I live surrounded by its beauty:-) Hugs Jan xx
Haight Avatar
May 15, 2015 at 12:37 PM
Hi Jan, thank you so much for the nice comment. Growing up, my family had a boat and we did most of our vacationing along the Hudson River on up North to the Great Lakes. You are so fortunate to be surrounded by the beautiful ocean! Thanks again, hugs, Sandra
La France Avatar
May 13, 2015 at 7:23 AM
Sandra, stunning, meaningful and pretty, expressive 7 and thanks for visiting my poem, a hundred. . .
Haight Avatar
May 13, 2015 at 8:23 AM
Thank you, Broken Wings. I am pleased that you like it. Your kind and positive words are much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
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