Paul Willason | + Follow Poet |
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The Swimmer

I saw her swim out to where
distance and wave height
made her disappear from sight.
The water still carried 
the last of summer's warmth.

She was where I would like
to be, loosened from what binds
this body to gravity, 
to be free of weight
and feel nothing beneath
my feet but a plunging depth.

I would be tempted 
to let myself sink slowly
into that mystery,
taking in wave 
and water, to float
as a child would 
within a womb, held on the end 
of an umbilical cord
linking the now 
to eternity.

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Lin Lane Date: 2/20/2025 1:12:00 PM The weightlessness of floating in the sea gives me a sense of something I can't quite describe. I pity those who aren't buoyant or who fear just lying back and trusting their body to feel what you have described, Paul. You used a great comparison of being inside the womb... a safer place than any found outside that sanctuary where we swim at the risk of land sharks. Login to Reply Paul Willason Date: 2/21/2025 3:46:00 AM Dear Lin you always give a poem a good airing..offer sensitive and wise comment...a pleasure to receive. Enjoyed writing this poem, found its way out quite easily, managing to bypass my sometimes stern arbitration. Don't like the land sharks...too many of em swim the shallows these daya. Take care dear Lin.

David Kavanagh Date: 2/20/2025 2:36:00 AM Beautiful ethereal poem Paul, the sense of acceptance linking one to eternity is all pervasive, this piece could make great waves into the healing contest, cheers David Login to Reply Paul Willason Date: 2/21/2025 3:32:00 AM Thanks David for giving the poem some time...as mentioned to DD this one started off in one direction then seemed to change course, allowing a more positive interpretation. Part of the mystery of poetry...often a poem has its own mind and you are simply the transcriber. Appreciate your comments my friend...