Unsettled Sea

While whispers shush on sheltered shores, as soon the cockcrow quakes,
the seas descry a skittish sky, sense summer zephyrs wake  –
roused passions neath the sunrise pulse, the whitecaps throb and ache.

Along the crests crawl shallow shades the soaring sun effaces
and rains in streams enhance the dreams that fantasy embraces
while ocean sprays of yesterdays reveal forsaken faces.

The midday sun has slowed its run, a shrinking puddle steams,
between the knells of shattered shells drift soaring seagulls’ screams –
the beauty wends but never ends, or so it surely seems.

At dusk a ruddy disk descends, the skyline's furnace burns
and neath the swells where Neptune dwells, an undercurrent churns –
a seahorse hides and seaweed bides until the tempest turns.

While twilight hosts the winds with ghosts of barbed electric spangles,
a mermaid braves the crashing waves adorned with starfish bangles –
her spirit yearns in twists and turns entwined in rockweed tangles.

As seven stranded seamen scan the dimple-dappled moon,
a brace of surly Sirens serenade a lonely loon –
the breakers pound and sometimes sound a melancholy tune. 

Soon gales ignite the briny night and rip the skies askew
with zigzag teeth flashed deep beneath a blazing bolt tattoo –
storms, spent, subside in ebbing tides, then all begins anew.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Staton Avatar
February 6, 2022 at 5:34 AM
OMG!! This is so beautiful! A FAVE indeed!
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 10, 2019 at 3:05 PM
Hello Terry O'Leary,Oh Wow! I feel that this is the greatest poem,I have just read! I felt like i was able to be by the sea. To be able to touch the salty water. A great read. Have a nice day my friend.
Duncan Avatar
May 1, 2017 at 12:51 AM
Great write :)
Martin Avatar
April 12, 2017 at 9:31 AM
Great rhymes, great poem and well deserved first place. Congratulations Terry! :-)
Collins Avatar
April 2, 2017 at 12:29 PM
I am in awe once again. \ such alliteration tickles my cockles. (I hope that's not off color) pal o yours
Poteet Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 9:37 PM
Congratulations on your placement. Love the monorhymed stanzas as well as the alliteration. You did good.
Smith Avatar
March 18, 2017 at 1:19 PM
Nice work!
Smith Avatar
March 17, 2017 at 11:21 AM
Brilliant, congratulations Terry...
Merryman Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 11:58 AM
You, sir, have an incredible gift! This completely blew me away! Congrats on your well deserved 1st place win, Terry. This is going in my favs! Blessings, Kim
Rodrigues Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 10:36 AM
Action packed! Congrats on your top win, Terry!
Sands Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 9:17 AM
Congratulations Terry :)
Stebbings Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 4:17 AM
Congratulations on your top place, Terry. Beautiful rhythms you have produced in this piece. // Barry
Barden Avatar
March 15, 2017 at 10:36 PM
Your work is extraordinary, Terry, and I am honored to grab a second-place behind you, (and be in such good company with those on this list) ... I have yet to read ANYthing of yours that I didn't love, and this is one of my favorites - exquisitely done, and well-deserved. Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity here on Poetry Soup, and please keep doing so - you have enriched my life! Congrats! :-)
Hamilton Avatar
March 15, 2017 at 10:04 PM
You did it again, I guess you know exactly what I like, there are no more superlatives left, just masterful writing! Congrats on stand alone first place win!
Burch Avatar
February 13, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Congratulations Terry!! Hugggs deb
U.D Palawon  Avatar
February 13, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Awesome write..Congrats on the win. :)
Neumann Avatar
February 13, 2017 at 2:01 AM
Congratulations. What a great usage of meaningful words. Thank you, Kai
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
February 12, 2017 at 10:16 PM
I love the unique imagery and metaphors, Terry. This is beautifully written!! Congrats to you and hugs, Rhonda
Devonshire Avatar
February 12, 2017 at 2:01 PM
Wow, Terry, this poem is brilliant! You have a very creative way of presenting imagery - "dimple-dappled moon" "starfish bangles" And I love the way the story "begins anew" at the end. This is a perfect description of the seas. Nice use of alliteration as well. Congratulations!
May Avatar
February 12, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Beautiful..Congrats on your win Terry
May Avatar
February 4, 2017 at 10:22 PM
As only you can Terry...Splendid write..
Burch Avatar
February 3, 2017 at 9:24 PM
Terry!!! What a fantastic write...you included it all...perfectly!!! Love this !!! Big Hugggs my friend!!! Good to see your poems again!!! Deb
Turner Avatar
February 3, 2017 at 8:22 AM
Splendid write, Terry. Just flows right off the tongue. Really a great read:)
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