Light is the shadow of God: Plato
I grip at the railing
for the ferry to sail on
as night gently sinks
into the deep again.
And I to the daily grind.
I lean out over the quay
that the harbour reflects
in breath-wash of mist
of pale, unfinished light.
The city stretches out.
Above the marble basilica
the copper cupola curves
a silhouette sharp enough
to carve the harvest moon.
A billowing crescent.
See it strikes off the dome
The blinks of lighted eyes
water-moon awakes the dawn
with the first shadows of God.
Just before departure.
I searched for grail across rails
looking deep without sleep
at the last clean harbour
frequencies
bleeped …
secrecies
sacred
naked I folded silvery
drops scattering dreams
….
Scattered dreams lay
a c r o s s
the last clean
harbour (...)
it was blue-green before ascent
reminiscent of Andromeda’s
coves where frequencies
danced
translucent gold across
pebbles speaking —-
…..
Naked fear rapped dew
pane
it shook with pain of
Love
L o s t
dimpled her toxic flesh was seeking
the last clean harbour at
my window where
quickly
I drew
drapes protecting victories
gained
at the last clean
harbour ~
_____________________
9th Placement: August 26
Sponsor: Brian Strand
All's quiet at the pier.
The mist slowly rises over the harbour.
Soon the crew will gather.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2026
Green verge and pale blue river flow,
silver clouds skim mountain peaks,
golden blissful moment captured,
caught in a swirl stream recent past,
vivid sight emblazoned on the mind,
they lie asleep in vernal berth
Sitting by the Harbour Bridge
So beautiful even during the day
Becoming an elegant palace
When the sun finally goes down
And someone turns on the lights
The stars seem to fall from Heaven
Covering the lovers of all ages
With magic from our magical universe
And the hope that their love would last forever
© Poem – XXVI/IX/MMXXV
LRET
Sitting by the Harbour Bridge
So beautiful even during the day
Becoming an elegant palace
When the sun finally goes down
And someone turns on the lights
The stars seem to fall from Heaven
Covering the lovers of all ages
With magic from our magical universe
And the hope that their love would last forever
© Poem – XXVI/IX/MMXXV
LRET
I've been to a few strange places in my day
some hotter than the hottest spot on the sun
some colder than the coldest crater on the moon
and all the while I was looking for someone
looking here looking there I was searching everywhere
now I found you you are the one my searching days are done
for my heart made up its mind to love you
when we were oceans apart and worlds away
took a boat across the water and yet
I don't regret a single day
no more cloudy skies had more than my fair share
love will prevail now I've found a haven in a heart that cares
as you'll be my shelter from a storm warning
(calm waters, safe harbour)
you'll see me through to a new day's dawning
I'll pass on the weatherman I forecast my sun shining
don't need my fortune read I foresee a silver lining
yes I've done some crazy things in my lifetime
been to hell and all the way to the back of beyond
with not even a handbasket to carry me there
and all the time I was searching for someone
Sweetling,
the ground is steady here
come, stand beside me
let the world shift and tremble;
still, we remain.
We are unshaken.
My Dream,
the space is small,
yet dreams unfold,
and no walls confine us.
let us build wonders to the horizon
and monuments that kiss the sky.
Our story never ends.
My Heart,
the shadows stir with monsters lurking
but they cannot reach us.
Here, we are untouchable,
protected by belonging.
Hold my hand,
and the darkness cannot take us.
We cast the dark away.
My Star,
a roaring flame burns bright between us
it never flickers nor will it wane,
in its glow, we are immortal,
and kept warm for all our days.
Let it light the way.
My Love,
this is our place, our safe harbour,
uncharted and unspoiled, our love the only port.
we build it within the folds of time,
a space where we are safe,
a place where we are whole.
Close your eyes, we are home.
I am a cruiser
on a big trawler.
A lover
of the water.
Look at it's blue color.
What's underneath is a puzzler.
Being a traveler
who looks for spectacular
pictures. I always discover
that God is the manufacturer
and complier
of beauty for this true believer.
No matter
what harbour
we pull in to.
Here
the mountains
have a fascinating
allure
as they are behind the harbour
this adds a certain
wonder
and magnificent charm to the terrain.
This place isn't plain.
I was so excited there's
a promenade. We will be walking,
talking,
and sitting
on the bench enjoying
the sights and sounds
of this new harbour.
They say in the brochure
there's coffee bars,
fish shops, and restaurants
to entertain
which makes this harbour
really popular.
Here I would of remained
if we had been able to retain
our health. As it is this harbour
will be ingrained
in my brain
from a water color
that I found
in a beautiful frame.
at eight am I arrive at Harbour Island
a calm beach with pink sand
she resides in the Bahamas
if you want to visit her
the sand does not look as pink as the photos
But it is not brown or tan either
Will it be softer than regular gritty sand?
I take off my shoes
this sand is warm, and wobbly
moving like other sand
gritty also as it slides in between my toes
Finally here! I think; and I am not disappointed
Do not harbour hatred
It slowly eats away at your soul
It closes the hearts door to love
Destruction it’s only role
Do not harbour hatred
It only brings pain
It serves no positive purpose
Destruction it’s only gain
Do not harbour hatred!
The many boats around sit in the harbour
One tailing the other now and then
Serried lined and flanked with one another
They pause for thought gathering day before them
The ferrous water sits so still in motion
As plankton line the sterns and afts like moluscs
Peeping over ropes and bobbing under
Waiting out the storming rain and thunder
They never see a passer by or vendor
Instead their vision remains steady on the water
Where promises of undulating sea throngs
Bring mystery to ocean faring wonder
'Pon Mt. Edgecumbe lies soft serve ice cream
Being surrounded by fuchsia lips
Wishfully gazed upon by a cobalt blue dream
Over the port full of harbor ships
Colors of the sky predicting snow pretty ugly
The ice cream running down the mountain awfully good
Those waters in the harbor down deep bubbly
Teeming with jumbo shrimp and on the beach driftwood
Sitka, Alaska experiences each day's end
With a sky ending with special delights
Sky and earth seem to together blend
When day seems to slip into the dark night
finis'...
Written: June 2 and 3, 2023
Save my soul, I'm washed out to sea
I need the lights of a harbour to beckon me
Gasping for breath, in a bedraggled state
As the wild wind decides my ultimate fate
Swallowed up by the dark but emerge by the shore
A stranger to land and with sea-legs no more
Conflicted and confused by my second chance
Do I pray, do I sing, do I walk, do I dance?
I had thought that the sea would carry me home
Yet I stand with new landscape; fresh pastures to roam
The life I could live now plainly in view
New path lined with hope for my heart to pursue
Walking along the Harbours
Walking along the rocky harbour,
I looked off into the clouds above,
The moon was shining ever so bright;
And I remembered the labour of love.
Artillery was being fired far and wide;
Where could I go?
Stuck in a musty chamber;
I tried to lie low.
For weeks, I hadn’t seen her,
Her face a fragile memory;
I yearned to be with her;
The week felt like a century.
Holding the letter in my hands,
Tears streamed down my face.
I collapsed onto the pavement
And I wished I could press ‘backspace’.
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