Tidal

Tidal

A Poem by Marshal Gebbie

Wide grey waters rolling in

Invisibly it flows
Like a spreading carpet over mud
Inexorably it grows.
Created by a lunar force
And global winds at play,
Twice each day the tides do surge
To crest and flow away.

Twice each day the tide rolls in
To cover shoals of sands
And beds of oysters, muddy brown
With squirting water glands.
And twice each day the seabirds flock
To alight on draining shores
To harvest succulents and crabs
And other tasty mores.

Oyster pickers congregate
In flocks of white and black
Red beaks plunging deeply
In green pastures for a snack.
Amazingly, they all take flight
A thousand beating wings
Which heel about collectively
Inking out all skyward things.

A thousand, million wavelets play
Across the level span
Pursued by wind’s relentless glove
In a patterned, surging plan.
And each reflects a kiss of light,
Each wavelet in the run
Collectively illuminate
Like diamonds in the sun.

Above the waves the seagulls ply
In corridors of air
In squadron flights of symmetry
To weave and wheel with flair,
Their raucous calls at distance
The poetry of sound,
In tidal terms, a symphony
Of seaward things profound.

The haze at the horizon
Of salt spray in the air,
White ,crunchy shells on beaches,
Pohutukawa’s everywhere.
A feeling of things tidal
In a lazy, salty way,
And enjoying the quiet beauty
Of this lovely, coastal bay.
 
 
Marshalg
@ the Gate
Mangere Bridge
4th March 2009

 


© 2011 Marshal Gebbie


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Featured Review

I'm naturally drawn to poetry about the sea anyway... but this is really great! I really love the stanza where you describe the birds as oyster pickers snacking in green pastures... then the next stanza has just got to be my favorite!
This is sooo beautiful!!!

A thousand, million wavelets play
Across the level span
Pursued by wind’s relentless glove
In a patterned, surging plan.
And each reflects a kiss of light,
Each wavelet in the run
Collectively illuminate
Like diamonds in the sun.


Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

I'm naturally drawn to poetry about the sea anyway... but this is really great! I really love the stanza where you describe the birds as oyster pickers snacking in green pastures... then the next stanza has just got to be my favorite!
This is sooo beautiful!!!

A thousand, million wavelets play
Across the level span
Pursued by wind’s relentless glove
In a patterned, surging plan.
And each reflects a kiss of light,
Each wavelet in the run
Collectively illuminate
Like diamonds in the sun.


Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Indeed, you are privy!! This is exquisitely written with beautiful flow and rhythm. I felt as though I were there among the shoals and oyster beds :) Wonderful write. :)

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Added on July 25, 2011
Last Updated on July 31, 2011

Author

Marshal Gebbie
Marshal Gebbie

Auckland, New Zealand



About
Poem writer for the average Joe. Take tremendous satisfaction in creatively writing about everyday things and everyday people. Australian native who has adopted New Zealand and New Zealanders. Marvel.. more..

Writing