Reef Poems

Get Knotted

Knots-besotted
(too canny for a granny)
as sailors go (and they will)
of which I am (still) one
(when day is done)
I can bend a bowline
(from stern to stem)
with the best of them
(just so's you knows...
the rabbit out of the hole comes
'round the tree runs then back down goes)
and tie (not hit) a reef (or square) so fine
or (none too sheepishly)
yank a sheepshank
in a (fairly hefty) hank of line
also (if it's not too late)
do a (non-binding) figure eight
(with half a minding) to stop the rope
from sliding (I hope)
(and/or) fraying
to (defray the cost)
for new cordage paying
(in time a stitch)
yet there's one more which
(so all's not lost)
(clever clogs) calls a clove hitch

Colorful Wonder

Cascade of colors swirls in a fishy maze,
a tank of topicals swim the watery haze;
as a plastic diver opens his treasure,
what's inside is strictly his pleasure.

Tetra's dream of tasty bites
Swordtails dine to their delight;
albino Catfish sweeps the gravel,
as bright corals do bedazzle.

As bright guppies wiggle, wriggle
and Goldfish's fins flow in a jiggle;
a black Molly races by the snails,
as a tiny crab scurries up the ship's sail.

It's a color-wonderland behind the glass;
flowing in and out of the guppy grass.

Myth of the Ningaloo Reef

We are archaic, and we deserve our rest.
The gods all agreed to lie down together.
They found a continent they enjoyed 
Laid down like soldiers, brothers in arms.

Will we ever retain our position of worth? Wondered Zeus.
Jupiter gave him the answer, not on this plane.
We will become spirit again, so these bodies can turn into a reef
Let’s call it the Ningaloo suggested Zeus, wanting the last word.

The Ningaloo has the most gorgeous sunsets and sunrises.
There is an ethereal, mystical, feeling of awe associated with it.
Those who visit, often see and hear spirit for years afterward.
It is a marvelous place to revitalize and refresh your muse.

Reef of Beliefs

We have many different beliefs,
But we are different plants
Together in the very same reef.

Coral Reef

death strikes from the cover of shadows...by poet.



tight schools of sunfish

swim atop a coral reef...

sharks stalk stray shadows


(Haiku)


03/03/2022


H Forms - Traditional Nature Haiku Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
"How Many Syllables"

Terminal Reef

Like water…
fear seeks its own level
Rich or poor
it wades through our consciousness
Driving us inward
toward sirens of darkness
Shrilling the moment
—with lyres of doubt 

(Hereford Inlet: December, 2021)

The Reef

Turtle cruises the reef,
turquoise warm in the sun;
tendrils of coral stretch to
sup filtered light.

Butterflyfish and Tang
intermingle amid coral polyps,
that are plentiful appetizers
for this party.

As sponges get their rays,
a seahorse uncoils and jettisons itself
just overhead of a yawning mussel.

I giggle to myself as an angelfish kisses
my goggles and swim beneath the belly of turtle;
awed at the Crayola chroma essence
that delights my spirit.

Admiring a Coral Reef

more glorious than any painting
the coral reef puts a psychedelic trip to shame
schools of fish swim by, ...were they sapphire or cobalt?
their bio luminous look fascinates me
they are gone before I can gather my thoughts

a swarm of cherry heads my way
fierce fish with a hot pink vibe or are they more fuchsia?
my imagination in her wildest state
could have never imagined this undiscovered world
a conglomerate of something in lemon and green swishes by

was that a fish? or a bunch of them?
In fascination I await the next sight of beauty; I am not disappointed

Ocean - a Pleiades

Over pelagic reefs,
oscillating waters
obfuscate sunken fetes. 
Octopi tango while
oarfish flash titian fins. 
Opulent paradise:
oblivious to us. 

4/5/21 - written for Kim Merryman's "Pleiades O" poetry contest - 1st place

Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Rhyme

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA’A Rhyme
pronounced: HOOMOO, HOOMOO, NOOKOO, NOOKOO, AH, POOAH, AH
The Hawaiian Reef Triggerfish


H
Ubiquitous damsels on ‘hide n seek’ reef
M
Urgently dart into cover
H
Under the ocean, the fish with the teeth
M
Usually rules every other
N
Unctuous, in his case is fair praise indeed
K
Unique is this eye-candy trigger
N
Unlikely the damsels to suffer his greed
K
Unusual for he’s so much bigger
A
P
Utter relief for the fish of the reef... but not for the little sand digger
A’
A


11 November 2020
Kim’s Acrostic Play Contest

(WITHDRAWN FROM CONTEST AS I FELT IT DIDN’T FIT THE ‘PLAY’ CRITERIA)

The Coral Reefs Are Dying

Take a stand and save the world
Recycle that plastic bottle
Help clean up the ocean
And join in the battle
Reduce your use of single use
Commit to end the waste
Reduce the ocean garbage patch
Deliberately make haste
The coral reefs are dying
All around the world
In twenty years they might be gone
If we remain unconcerned
So take a stand and pick it up
Buy yourself a reusable cup

The Coral Reef

Ultraviolet hues
in purple skies
and the turquoise waves
bow in admiration...
Here,
there are different ones,
lives beneath the tranquil
waters of a
coral reef.

A plethora of
color burst flora and fauna, 
secreting itself from 
prying eyes...

Protectorate of the inland's;
promoting life 
in Gaia’s womb.
Sadly, 
the thing it protects
the most,
land and its dwellers;
disregard such
majesty;
being taken for granted,
proof that humans
are not by any means,
the most,
intelligent life.

Reef

The moon, 
Just past full,
Calls down to the coral.
   Lunar  ballad pierces
Sea’s briny top soil.
Amorous chords
Penetrate past clown fish
Past pygmy sea-horses
Past the  anemone’s crown of thorns
Into the stony castle’s womb
Igniting a blizzard torrent of gametes,
 Kaleidoscopic confetti
Hurtles toward the surface
Reaching.  touching,  meeting
Achieving  consummation
 In the undulating reflection of
The moon.

KDavis

Reunion On the Reef

Crustacean crowds gather around the reef, for a special reunion.

Delicacies abound as the coral dines, along with them.

Dancing anemone, are entertainment for the diners.

Big Wreak On a Reef

Big Wreak On A Reef

There had been a Big Wreak On A Reef;
When we found out was  beyond belief;
Often hurried,
And worried;
Are so sad wanting relief from our grief.

Jim Horn

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