My body collapses where land and ocean meet, My tiny, hot toes dig into the cool damp sand, Burrowing in the granules of time in search of comfort.
The golden orb glides into the horizon, hues of orange and purple trumpeting the departure My arms wrap tightly around my warm,pink skin It is here at water's edge that I long to become reacquainted with myself - body, mind and soul
The blue green waves nip at my ankles, inching ever higher Like a playful pup they come back again and again Each wave contains the deepest secrets of ocean life
My mind ponders the meaning of life at water's edge It is here that I solve the problems of the world It is here that I grieve - my salty tears spilling into the saltier water - forming a perfect union It is here - at water's edge - that I come to terms with myself honestly - strengths and weaknesses
My toes sink further down, the water trenching out my feet without mercy I don't mind - for there is always more than enough sand to share The faint smell of fish and seaweed linger in my nostrils Rather than repulse, I draw deeply in - savoring the scent of peace that comes with them
The occasional plump sea gull swoops down in search of a meal Only to be robbed by the pelican who is coming in lower and smoother Like a dance they continue to scour the ocean surface for a delicacy
At water's edge the dead give up their secrets Trinkets, and remnants, jewels and death all visit - indiscriminately Cold, dead jellyfish whose sting knows no end Is positioned next to the perfect sea shell with mother of pearl coloring Parts of larger sea life was ashore - anonymously so Yet a closer inspection tells quite a tale of brave battle and noble death
As the sun gently kisses the sky goodnight, a chill begins to envelop me A light gray-white mist rises from the water to lull all to slumber The still warm water is beckoned home for the night
There is something about the water's edge that pulls me ever nearer The endless possibilities - for no two visits are ever the same Familiar yes, but each one has it's own signature - like the waves when they reach the shore
At water's edge I find myself again, I am reminded of the awesome majesty of mother nature Each wave coming from a far, exotic land where another pair of feet dig toes into the sand
Copyright 2004 Rose Limongi
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Reviews of "Water's Edge"
Reviewed by Reginald Birch (Reader)
Reviewed on June 30, 2004
Love of your beloved ocean beautifully put to words.
Reg.
Reviewed by Marco Landi (Reader)
Reviewed on June 26, 2004
I can read this work over and over and see....
"Each wave coming from a far, exotic land where another pair of feet dig toes into the sand"
Brava
There is something spiritually significan about the meeting of land and water. You capture it well here.
And isn't it a delicious feeling when the receding waves dig the sand from under your feet?
Ian
a beautiful piece of nature! your images in this are first class! Splendid job, Rose.
Reviewed by Abe Rossi (Reader)
Reviewed on June 9, 2004
what is good for the toes....is good for the soul....Peace Abel
Reviewed by Fletcher Bailey (Reader)
Reviewed on June 6, 2004
Rose, this is poem is so image filled. I can almost feel the water on my feet, the sand between my toes, the smell of the ocean...excellently written...Fletcher B
Reviewed by Jane Rodway (Reader)
Reviewed on June 6, 2004
This reminds me of a buddhist practice of mindful walking, which is what I do to get in touch. This has a calming feeling.
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on June 6, 2004
Great thoughts Rose, salt water is in every English mans blood.. bar mine.
Wonderfully good poem, Rose. And many of us feel something wondrous 'at water's edge.'
Since life started in the water, and our evolutionary predecessors first crawled onto land, from water, perhaps there is a special bond there - both ancient and sacred.
This poem, "Water's Edge", is more than the narrator's experience. Its universal voice, allowed the reader to make it his/her experience. It is all that I've ever envisioned the ocean to be. Your words made me see, feel, and smell the ocean as I've so many times experienced. This is very good writing, Rose.
Beautiful write Rose, I felt as if I were there. Fantastic picture to compliment this write. I take at least six rolls of film everytime I visit the sea. The setting for this write was perfect...Oh How I Love The Sea! For it is there that I can taste eternity.
Allen
Nice pic of the sunset and ocean. Goes perfect with write here. Relaxing and a place to search and find yourself is the ocean. Ankle high is my max but you put me right at the edge here and had me soul searching also after the read.
Very well done Rose
Tommy
Hey, watch yourself, Rose, that ocean is mine as well...unless it is the Pacific, then you can have it...it is definitely different than my ocean as mine has yet to get warm and for sure there are no pelicans as far north as NJ, I wish, but...?
You have posted here a gem, a diamond and not in the rough, as any and all ocean scenes are ingrained in us all for all of time, no need to be there, just to dream and remember and we can be washed clean of all our pain...this poem has done this not only for you, but for the rest of us and for that we all thank you immensely...Peace thru Ocean Knowledge...Ed & Rufuz
Rose this is a masterpiece! Every word start to finish is
magical! The ocean is my favorite place and you have made
it even more beautiful!Thank you for such a gem!
Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger (Reader)
Reviewed on June 5, 2004
Greetings Poet Rose Limongi. This is timeless treasure You have penned, and have shared it with us!!!… Nothing better than being at “Water’s Edge!!!”… To help one find the true meaning of it all. There is some really GREAT Poetry being pumped out tonight!!!… Thank You for sharing Your Talent and Poetry, Poet!!!
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
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Reg.
"Each wave coming from a far, exotic land where another pair of feet dig toes into the sand"
Brava
And isn't it a delicious feeling when the receding waves dig the sand from under your feet?
Ian
This is beautiful and thought-provoking, I like this a lot.
May Lu a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)
Nice one.....
Since life started in the water, and our evolutionary predecessors first crawled onto land, from water, perhaps there is a special bond there - both ancient and sacred.
Carmen :-)
Allen
Gina
love the ocean my self
always been surrounded by water
loved this write
excellent
William
Very well done Rose
Tommy
You have posted here a gem, a diamond and not in the rough, as any and all ocean scenes are ingrained in us all for all of time, no need to be there, just to dream and remember and we can be washed clean of all our pain...this poem has done this not only for you, but for the rest of us and for that we all thank you immensely...Peace thru Ocean Knowledge...Ed & Rufuz
magical! The ocean is my favorite place and you have made
it even more beautiful!Thank you for such a gem!