Notes About The Poem

Originally published: 20th January 2023

Image: gR

As featured in the Poetry Soup Anthology: "Reflections on the Important Things"


The Wetlands

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.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Dietrich Avatar
July 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
very nice, Gary. Congrats in Brian's contest
Radice Avatar
July 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Thank you Andrea. I tend only to enter contests that allow the older poems these days so it was nice to see this place. Cheers - Gary
Hargreaves Avatar
January 19, 2024 at 8:43 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.
Radice Avatar
January 20, 2024 at 2:17 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
Mays Avatar
January 15, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Beautiful and elegant. Love the images, rhythm, and rhyme.
Radice Avatar
January 16, 2024 at 2:14 AM
Thanks Carol. Good luck with your pamphlet! :) Cheers - Gary
Milgate Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 10:41 AM
What a lovely poem, rarely see such excellent rhyming.
Radice Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 10:11 PM
I appreciate your lovely comments Linda. Cheers - Gary
Baker Avatar
August 19, 2023 at 1:35 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
Radice Avatar
August 20, 2023 at 2:00 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
Peck Avatar
April 16, 2023 at 8:27 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! :)
Radice Avatar
April 17, 2023 at 12:10 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
Fowler Avatar
March 28, 2023 at 6:45 AM
A beautiful flowing rhyme Gary. I see every word you've written! :)
Radice Avatar
March 28, 2023 at 1:49 PM
Mission Accomplished! :) Thanks so much Linda. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary
Sambourne Avatar
March 19, 2023 at 7:51 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
Radice Avatar
March 20, 2023 at 2:43 AM
Thanks Brian. Wow! 50 acres. Thank you for playing such an important role in maintaining nature's balance. Cheers - Gary
Ray Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 4:29 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
Radice Avatar
February 23, 2023 at 12:55 AM
Thank you Timothy. I love the idea that a picture can be painted from a pallet of words. Cheers- Gary
Puddifoot Avatar
February 12, 2023 at 3:31 PM
tranquil and gorgeous; such musicality in your lines..congrats on your win in the contest with this lovely piece.:)
Radice Avatar
February 13, 2023 at 5:58 AM
Thanks Charlotte. You've described everything I wanted to describe beautifully..beautifully. :) Cheers - Gary
Kauffman Avatar
February 6, 2023 at 10:33 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.
Radice Avatar
February 7, 2023 at 3:04 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
Toney Avatar
February 4, 2023 at 8:18 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.
Radice Avatar
February 5, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Thank you Mark for my placement and your comments. Thanks, too, for having the stamina to run such a contest. Cheers - Gary
Ashley Avatar
February 4, 2023 at 5:54 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
Radice Avatar
February 5, 2023 at 12:20 PM
Thank you Susan! Your lovely comments are very much appreciated. "..a balm for the soul"..I love that phrase :) Cheers - Gary
Flood Avatar
February 3, 2023 at 4:16 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
Radice Avatar
February 4, 2023 at 5:27 AM
Thanks Terry. I disagree though. You've done justice to all your poetry subjects so far. Cheers - Gary
Smith Avatar
February 1, 2023 at 8:57 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
Radice Avatar
February 2, 2023 at 3:02 AM
Thanks for the great comments David and I hope 2023 is a good year for you and your family too. Cheers - Gary
Rees Avatar
January 27, 2023 at 7:00 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.
Radice Avatar
January 28, 2023 at 2:17 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
Callus Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 10:57 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
Radice Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 11:42 PM
Thank you very much Paul. I'm blown away by your wonderful comments. Cheers - Gary
Lawrence Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 7:33 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 :)
Radice Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 11:36 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
Fowler Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 6:47 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! :)
Radice Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 11:33 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
Delaney Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 4:29 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
Radice Avatar
January 22, 2023 at 11:27 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
Watson Avatar
January 21, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Beautifully described,Gary with a rhythmic flow I really appreciated.
Radice Avatar
January 21, 2023 at 11:03 PM
Thank you Wendy. I truly appreciate your valued comments. Cheers - Gary
Volumes Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 2:27 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.
Radice Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 9:54 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
Woodrow Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM
can just see it and feel the serenity in your flowing rhyme.. enjoyed :)
Radice Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 11:05 AM
Thanks Susan. I'm almost there with the finished piece. Your comments are most welcome. Cheers - Gary
Cunningham Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Sounds a very tranquil place Gary, as long as you dress for the weather its enjoyable. Enjoy your weekend. Tom
Radice Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 9:01 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
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace