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The Storm Swept Through

I often write about the ocean. I went to see a museum exhibit, yesterday, “Dutch Art in a Global Age.” The paintings of sailboats on the sea caught my attention. Breathtaking and romantic, admired them up closely, then from the center of the room. One artist was Ludolf Bakhuizen and his painting was “Ships in a Gale on the IJ before the City of Amsterdam.”

THE STORM SWEPT THROUGH

the storm swept
through
sails white & gray

  clouds
    competing

ebb & flow
of catawampus rain

the heave-ho
of the hulls
crashing
         on
malevolent waves

the sky falls
squeezes out
thunderous soak

cantankerous whitecaps
        like
moon craters
              rise & fall

cerulean hope
bleeds through
  as
the sun bruises the
    hullabaloo

lightning shows
             off
a couple more
  times
than its lullaby
hushes

and the boats
gently rock

as if the infant
is sound asleep

the sea is smooth
it is a smooth operator
a breathing body
of fickle water




Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 5/21/2024 9:41:00 PM
It's so good to be gone a long time and then come to your page- marvelous writing, Kim, it really is....your personification of the ocean is so breathtaking, <3
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/22/2024 6:20:00 AM
Thank you for saying that it is “breathtaking.” I appreciate you, Paige! :)
Date: 5/21/2024 9:59:00 AM
The last verse Kim is so typical of scenes after a tsunami, or a flash flood or a dam wall bursting - instead of the calm before a storm, you have adapted the saying to have meaning after the chaos. Great Ekphrasis - Greek description of visual art, great saying for words . blessings, Well penned my dear friend, Blessings, Jennifer.
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/21/2024 11:58:00 AM
I so appreciate your support, Jennifer! Hugs and Blessings ~ Kim
Date: 5/21/2024 9:46:00 AM
The sea is beautifully pictured in its twin faces.... turbulence followed by a serene calm. The storm disturbed the boats and the ship. They were tossed by the violent waves. But soon the storm subsided and the sea became smooth. I haven't seen the painting, yet from your lovely descriptions, I can imagine what the artist has painted. Great Ekphrasis, dear Kim.
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/21/2024 11:59:00 AM
Thank you, Valsa! It is fun to paint with words! Hugs ~ Kim
Date: 5/20/2024 11:39:00 AM
A long drive for me to the museum where it is being exhibited, but I did look up the painting online. It is rather mesmerizing. Early seafarers were a hardy lot of risk takers. Nice verse Kim! :)
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/21/2024 11:59:00 AM
Fun to see online…even better in person! Thank you, Linda!
Date: 5/20/2024 10:44:00 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful write. I could see it. I bet it was a great picture you saw. Have A Blessed Day Writing Away.........
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/21/2024 12:00:00 PM
Thank you, dear Paula! Have a blessed day too!
Date: 5/20/2024 5:05:00 AM
Dear Kim, such an exquisite portrayal of the tumultuous beauty of the sea. The scenes are evocative, pulling me into the heart of the tempestuous waves. I loved how your words capture the essence of both chaos and tranquility, painting a mesmerizing picture of nature's power and grace. Absolutely captivating! - Blessings, Daniel
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 5:54:00 AM
Blessings to you, Daniel! Love seeing the write through another poet’s eyes. Thank you!
Date: 5/19/2024 6:03:00 PM
I was taken aback by your picturesque lulling rhythmic eloquence, I felt I was there, wish I were there! All my best to you, Robert
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 5:55:00 AM
Thank you, dear Robert! Makes my day!
Date: 5/19/2024 1:48:00 PM
The fickle of foment..The calm of glass..' Till Next time shattered..Whence comes the blast? Whispers of current the taste of gales A gray thats not boring' over blathering sails Yet all is quiet as i examine my ship.. I must Varnish the mantel so I'll have to move it a bit.! Hi Kim enjoyed this.'
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 5:56:00 AM
I think you fell into the painting, hit the glass ceiling! Thank you, my friend!
Date: 5/19/2024 8:35:00 AM
I can understand why you love the sea. I love it but it has been ages since I went on a boat. Lovely imagery, my dear friend. Hugs.
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 5:57:00 AM
So fun to be on a boat…well mostly…lol. Thank you, dear friend!
Date: 5/18/2024 8:38:00 PM
'and the boats/gently rock // as if the infant/is sound asleep.' Such moving and memorable lines, Kim. Lovely, lovely, lovely image! Thanks, Gershon
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 5:58:00 AM
You make my day, dear friend! Thank you so much!
Date: 5/18/2024 1:09:00 PM
Picturesque, I loved reading this poem. I liked the many personalities of the ocean. You appear to have written fearlessly with great love for the ocean.
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 6:00:00 AM
I am drawn to the deep and its mysteries! Thank you, Hilda!
Date: 5/18/2024 10:24:00 AM
You created vivid imagery in this one, Kim... Nicely done..
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 6:00:00 AM
Thank you, my friend!
Date: 5/18/2024 10:17:00 AM
Oh wow...I loved this form very much! This is a wonderful poem Kim and I felt I could see what you were seeing. Enjoyed your words choices! Xo
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Kim Rodrigues
Date: 5/20/2024 6:00:00 AM
Thank you, Crystol! I appreciate you! xo

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