Ten Years

"From an image born"

The waves lap against the pier
wind blows cold from the north
the white caps seem to spell out my name
wind screaming it like a Banshee

Every day for ten years I have come here
on this very day, the day you died leaving me alone
to survive in a world as cold and vast as  this
ocean

I stand at the end of the pier staring into the
oceans depth looking for a sign
wondering if this will be the year I join you

The sun is yawning rubbing sleep from his eyes
the cold overcast sky begins to thaw
the sun opens his sleepy eyes


Seabirds circle round me as the ocean calms
I know in my heart you don't want this
you want me to stay here without you
I want to dive into the ocean and let her
hold me like a mother holds a broken child

Child, ours as lost without you as I am
my grief overwhelming consuming me
my child living a nightmare of his own
no help from me

Selfish I have been thinking only of me


The sun winks at me
as the sea birds sing-song
a mournful melody
you within the wind
caress me as I hear your voice

I say as I walk back down the pier

I know,
not today
not today

Author's Note

many thoughts came looking at the image of the cold ocean and the deserted pier early dawn .. this is what came out

Reviews

[Christina May Shanaberg]

I always enjoyed the exercises is school, when we were to write a story or a poem about a single picture. Each story was unique, but the general emotions seemed to remain pretty uniform. This poem was finely presented, very sad, and written by a wonderfully emotional poet. If you look hard enough, you can find a story in a single blade of grass, like Robert Frost's "Tuft of Flowers" (my favorite of his poems.

[OT]

brilliant!! some exceptional imagery here - the whole of the 4th stanza and then

"I want to dive into the ocean and let her
hold me like a mother holds a broken child"

in particular!! amazing poem

[Art]

nice poem Chloe...we receive so much when we view past this world...to reach beyond the oceans and find our minds seeking that truth...to wish being in that place of peace and light, and yet the reality is....we are here and we must...stay...for a little while more...

nice work ...

[Valentine]

A lost soul seeking what is forever lost to them...why are we all so foolish? LOL n God bless..Valentine

[Gary H]

I am reminded of Charles Bukowski as I read this. Been reading some of his short stories and poetry. Your words seem to combine both and have that same storylike perspective of his work. Maybe he has been in your world or lived in your area though I am sure the influence is by chance. Have a read of some of his pieces, I'm sure they are available anywhere on the internet...Good luck Chloe Bukowski...

[An owl on the moon]

There is such an overwhelming sadness here.. a longing for one taken from you... a desire to release the pain... Powerfully visualized with your descriptive words and emotion.

[Trevor]

Just beautiful, I really felt the coldness from the ocean and isolation and emotion from the words, very good job!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Awe Chloe this is so touching... i know that feeling all to well but yes the reality is a loved one is always with you in your heart with all the memories and thoughts they leave with you. The ending was so perfect.

[Crowley]

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner, and very well deserved. Nice write, you captured the heavy feeling of the picture so well, and the hope that lies beyond it. Loved this, nice job.

[Truly Ross-Wisehart]

Congratulations on your winning poem! Well deserved, my friend!

~True

[Wolfwind Words]

Wow Chloe! This was a wonderful mix of emotion, vision and strength of soul. What i like the most, is that it leaves me wondering what the beginning of the tale was and what the future might be. You have captured a little window in an epic story with you ink here! I love it!
Infact, it inspirational in itself!

Well Inked!
Wolfie