Home » Poems » Gary Radice » The Wetlands

Gary Radice | + Follow Poet |

The Wetlands

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gary Radice.

Originally published: 20th January 2023

Image by gR

As featured in the Poetry Soup Anthology:

"Reflections on the Important Things"

as swallows land and swifts take flight inside late noon’s last shards of light the chill winds that descend on day cause dense green swathes of reeds to sway across the flooded vista’s ground in harmony with nature’s sound of shrills that echo through the air from birds and insects everywhere while stars with room to breathe and shine light up a land divorced from time to show the beauty and true worth of life in balance here on earth.

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

Tony Hargreaves

Date: 1/19/2024 8:43:00 AM

a lovely poem that you share. love iambic tetrameter. in wetland hills we now suffer. we pray it not last forever. for soon will come springtime weather. and better times we then will share.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/20/2024 2:17:00 AM

Hi Tony. Thanks for your comments. I find iambic tetrameter easier to work with than most rhyming forms. Using eight syllables per line really helps the flow for me. Just as in your example too. (I couldn't agree more by the way - roll on spring) Cheers - Gary

Carol Mays

Date: 1/15/2024 7:13:00 PM

Beautiful and elegant. Love the images, rhythm, and rhyme.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/16/2024 2:14:00 AM

Thanks Carol. Good luck with your pamphlet! :) Cheers - Gary

Linda Milgate

Date: 9/4/2023 10:41:00 AM

What a lovely poem, rarely see such excellent rhyming.

Gary Radice
Date: 9/4/2023 10:11:00 PM

I appreciate your lovely comments Linda. Cheers - Gary

Bill Baker

Date: 8/19/2023 1:35:00 PM

Excellent rhyme poetry, Gary. Your poem was balance and smooth reading. The imagery was eloquent. Thanks for the visit to my poetry, and for the mindful comments, my friend. Have a great weekend! A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Gary Radice
Date: 8/20/2023 2:00:00 PM

Thanks Bill. It's a pleasure to read your comments here and it was a pleasure to read your poem 'The Costly Choice Of Revenge' recently. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 4/16/2023 8:27:00 PM

It's so strange, Gary. Before I turned to your page, I thought: I need to read some of Gary's to give me a sense of balance in this crazy world, and your last lines are: "to show the beauty and true worth of life in balance here on earth." Thanks! :)

Gary Radice
Date: 4/17/2023 12:10:00 AM

Hi Ann. Thank you. What a coincidence and it's great to think my poems can help to bring a sense of balance :) I always appreciate your visits Ann. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 3/28/2023 6:45:00 AM

A beautiful flowing rhyme Gary. I see every word you've written! :)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/28/2023 1:49:00 PM

Mission Accomplished! :) Thanks so much Linda. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

Date: 3/19/2023 7:51:00 PM

Terrific homage to wetlands, too often dismissed as mosquito heavy swamps. I have 50 acres on the Canadian Shield, much of it wetlands. I fear the next owner will simply fill in these flood plains. A beautifully rhymed poem, Gary, + a much needed environmental reminder. Be well. Brian

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2023 2:43:00 AM

Thanks Brian. Wow! 50 acres. Thank you for playing such an important role in maintaining nature's balance. Cheers - Gary

Timothy Ray

Date: 2/22/2023 4:29:00 AM

a worthy painting on any wall where one can sit and admire the mastery of God's Hand in creation's grand existence....nice job Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 2/23/2023 12:55:00 AM

Thank you Timothy. I love the idea that a picture can be painted from a pallet of words. Cheers- Gary

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 2/12/2023 3:31:00 PM

tranquil and gorgeous; such musicality in your lines..congrats on your win in the contest with this lovely piece.:)

Gary Radice
Date: 2/13/2023 5:58:00 AM

Thanks Charlotte. You've described beautifully everything I wanted to describe...beautifully. :) Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 2/6/2023 10:33:00 AM

Gary, congratulations on your win! You have so beautifully conveyed the quiet beauty of the wetlands in words of peace, serenity and quiet - so quiet the spells of the birds and buzzing insects can seep into our souls. This poem is a picture of balance! I have experienced this walking on a levee near our home. It is a marine preserve! Wonderfully done! So happy to see it on the winners list! Sending you blessings and cheers.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/7/2023 3:04:00 AM

Hi Sam! I was reading your reply and noticed that word 'levee'...and then I was transported back to 1971 and Don McLean's 'American Pie': "Drove my chevy to the levee.." so had to google the word...52 years of not knowing what a particular word meant but not bothering to look it up either and all it took was a Ms Sam Kauffman reply to a poem of mine. :) Thank you for that..and of course your other lovely comments. Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney

Date: 2/4/2023 8:18:00 PM

Gary, I love your pleasing, peaceful, picturesque description of the wetlands. The ending is brilliant because you highlight the wetlands’ importance in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. A Fave Poem for me. Congratulations on your excellent win on Mile 26 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon. Your support of my contest has contributed to its success, and for that I am very grateful. Poets who have qualified to enter the Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Contest are being notified by Soup Mail.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/5/2023 12:22:00 PM

Thank you Mark for my placement and your comments. Thanks, too, for having the stamina to run such a contest. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley

Date: 2/4/2023 5:54:00 PM

Dear Gary, I am enchanted by the beauty of your rhythmic, rhyming, vividly expressive poem. A delight for the senses and a balm for the soul. Your appreciative pen captures the wetlands with exquisite finesse. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Gary Radice
Date: 2/5/2023 12:20:00 PM

Thank you Susan! Your lovely comments are very much appreciated. "..a balm for the soul"..I love that phrase :) Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood

Date: 2/3/2023 4:16:00 PM

I’ve spent so many glorious starlit nights sat at lakesides like this, but could never have done them justice as you have here, Gary. Brilliantly depicted. Terry

Gary Radice
Date: 2/4/2023 5:27:00 AM

Thanks Terry. I disagree though. You've done justice to all your poetry subjects so far. Cheers - Gary

David Smith

Date: 2/1/2023 8:57:00 AM

Unfortunately some only see swamps to be drained, and just don't appreciate what is at stake each time this happens. Very important poem that highlights what exists in these places, that is worth saving. We also cannot underestimate the importance of mangroves in the scheme of things. Beautifully done Gary. May 2023 be a good year for you. All the best David in NZ

Gary Radice
Date: 2/2/2023 3:02:00 AM

Thanks for the great comments David and I hope 2023 is a good year for you and your family too. Cheers - Gary

Peter Rees

Date: 1/27/2023 7:00:00 AM

You paint a lovely picture Gary. Your last line refers to life in balance here on Earth. We must pray that will long continue, in spite of Mankind’s disruptive efforts. A great write. Well done.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2023 2:17:00 AM

Thanks Peter. You are so right about maintaining some sort of balance. The older I get the more unsure I get that we can. It's as if it's a case of the world eating itself at the moment. Cheers - Gary

Paul Callus

Date: 1/22/2023 10:57:00 AM

Beautiful and appealing to to our senses, Gary. It deserves a painting and a video to go with it. I like poems that flow and rhyme like this one. ~ Best regards // paul

Gary Radice
Date: 1/22/2023 11:42:00 PM

Thank you very much Paul. I'm blown away by your wonderful comments. Cheers - Gary

Susan Lawrence

Date: 1/22/2023 7:33:00 AM

This is such a beautiful landscape you have portrayed dear Gary . Each nuance exposed for us to revel at and take in, complete with visual and audible impact ! I love it ! A moment in time revealed by your talented pen ! Susan :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/22/2023 11:36:00 PM

Thanks so much Susan. I got the idea for the poem looking out of a train window as it went over a bridge. The wetland I saw looked beautiful; calm, quiet and just poem worthy. :) Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 1/22/2023 6:47:00 AM

I actually read this earlier today Gary, and thought it beautifully balanced. I'm now glad to see it in Brian's contest. Congratulations on your win! :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/22/2023 11:33:00 PM

Hi Linda.Thank you. I've edited the poem since I first wrote it so the chances are it may have changed since you first read it. I'm really pleased you really like it. Cheers - Gary

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 1/22/2023 4:29:00 AM

You really captured the beauty of wetlands, Gary….which are such an important ecological component of geography. They should all be made preserves. There are enough hotels onshore so I say leave them for the birds. Best, SuZ

Gary Radice
Date: 1/22/2023 11:27:00 PM

Thank you Suz. I totally agree with you regarding such places being made preserves but sadly that relies on human beings putting the future of such places before profit. Rant over. :) Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Wendy Watson

Date: 1/21/2023 2:44:00 PM

Beautifully described,Gary with a rhythmic flow I really appreciated.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/21/2023 11:03:00 PM

Thank you Wendy. I truly appreciate your valued comments. Cheers - Gary

Speaks Volumes

Date: 1/20/2023 2:27:00 PM

Wow Gary, you described the wetlands so perfectly. We have a problem here some of our wetlands are drying up, and thousands of huge Ibis are making their homes in residential trees, resting on house rooves and in back yards....... Your poem is delightful.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/20/2023 9:54:00 PM

Thanks Wendy! I've amended a few words since your comments and I'm happier now with the overall message of the poem. The wetlands, flood plains etc are wonderful ecosystems. It's sad to hear about some of Australia's wetlands are drying up..I'm sure it's the same the world over. I googled an ibis. I'd heard of them but couldn't picture one - like an avocet here in the UK. Thanks again and read you soon. Cheers - Gary

Susan Woodrow

Date: 1/20/2023 11:00:00 AM

can just see it and feel the serenity in your flowing rhyme.. enjoyed :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/20/2023 11:05:00 AM

Thanks Susan. I'm almost there with the finished piece. Your comments are most welcome. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/20/2023 6:00:00 AM

Sounds a very tranquil place Gary, as long as you dress for the weather its enjoyable. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Gary Radice
Date: 1/20/2023 9:01:00 AM

It is..or it was Tom before I changed it around a bit - probably the same time you were writing your lovely comments :) It's one of those poems that I'm not sure about. I wanted to capture the beauty and tranquility of a wetlands but I'm not sure I'm there with it yet. :) Cheers - Gary