Hazard Ahead

this breakwater's outer side
shows rollers riding in fast
angry and turbulent
seething with rage

driven by an easterly wind
strong in intent, hell bent
on preventing walkers from
daring to pursue a morning
stroll

yet one fool, oblivious to
danger, a stranger to common
sense, refuses to bow to ocean's
strength

he attempts to traverse the
length of the barrier between open
sea and inner harbour, unafraid
of consequences

a stampede of white crested horses
relentless in their charge, like the
light brigade advance, sabres rattling,
no mercy, smashing into defences

waves whipped to a heightened frenzy
crash, sending a surge of salt water spray
over quarried blocks and mighty rocks
sealed in concrete

trouble brewing like the undoing
of a brass lamp to release a genie
who won't grant three wishes

a fortunate fool, though soaked in
foam, he narrowly avoids being flung
where the fish swim deep, managing
to salvage a little pride

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

sometimes we win...sometimes we loose ... and sometimes we squeak by :) very appropriate for the times Christine ... too many on sides that now are overtly expressing violence if, like two year olds, they do not get their way .. so much damage has been done and continues .. i have to just shake me nog and walk away in a big sigh :(((((((((((((((((((((((((( great job of setting the scene and character development .. i heard the waves .. loved the thrill of defying those fast, high rollers ;) i think surviving it is a big win for him.
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E so happy for your visit. Yes, we are living in really challenging times. We are on holiday and I managed to visit my mum in her nursing home. Sat outside a closed window, blowing her kisses and smiling. We couldn't converse, but tomorrow I have asked they give her a phone, so at least I can talk to her. Yes, that fella was blooming lucky he didn't end up in the briny. Thank you so much and take good care of you and yours.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

my heart goes out to you and yours Christine .. a truly heart breaking situation .. i know those who had family in Hospice and past ... yet they could not find a way for loved ones to be present .. its not acceptable says i! >;/

[Chris Shaw]

Horrible times Mr E. The vulnerable and the elderly suffer most :((

[Poetic Beauty]

Sometimes people do not think of the consequences of what will happen. I can not fathom why you would try to do such a thing.

The ocean hold great power. She can be calm and smooth sparkling with beauty or she can be ruthless and unforgiving hell bend on crashing and waving with strength and anger. Oh and not to mention the great swimming beasties that call those majestic depths home.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you PB for another review. Yes, some people take risks which can endanger others. They don’t understand the power of the sea. This man was incredibly foolish. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome!

[Neville]

The fool and sadly there are so very many of them .. not always as fortunate as the one now eternally depicted here tho' .. we have many such foolish and foolhardy individuals .. they seem to occur mainly in summer as perhaps one might expect (what with tourists showing off and oblivious to the many dangers associated with just having a lark) .. It also concerns me how irresponsible these folk are in putting the lives of others at risk .. I struggle to pass by a RNLI collection ox without placing something in it .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Remember this so well while at Brixham. He was very lucky. Others aren’t. Thank you Neville and we support the RNLI as well.

Chris

[Neville]

Good to know .. they sure earn & deserve every penny.

[Ken Simm.]

I've often thought what I am supposed to do with the information that sign of the car falling into the harbour gives. Now I know.
I love the almost black playfulness of this and I am aware of the subteties of its layering.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Ken. Yes this is almost a running commentary of what took place while I looked on from a balcony in utter astonishment. I followed him all the way back down the Breakwater, expecting to have to call the coastguard:) He was lucky.

Watch where you park now :))

All good wishes.

Chris

[barleygirl]

Your intensely-detailed vignette is a powerful symbol for the controversy seizing our world -- whether we continue with covid precautions, or throw ourselves into the virus & hope for the best. I get the feeling your poem is written as a bystander who does not approve of this guy going out there & taking chances that seem stupid, but at the same time your poem grants him the right to act dumb & ends on a positive note, genuinely glad he didn't succumb to his own ill-advised actions. This is exactly how it feels, watching the various ones in the public eye doing their assorted covid dances (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie. Yes, we have choices in everything we do. Some make sensible ones and others taje risks which will endanger life. So appreciate your thoughts here. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Hello my dear friend Chris! What an angry, foaming sea! Trust me, I'm never going anywhere near it! Once saw the stormy Atlantic from Donegal and just scurried back to my friend's car!

"a stampede of white crested horses
relentless in their charge, like the
light brigade advance, sabres rattling,
no mercy, smashing into defences"

A delightful, fantastic picture of the raging ocean dear Chris and I just had to quote it here. You are such a true artist with words and my most favorite friend on here too!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ditzy, so lovely to get a visit from you. Pleases me no end that you enjoyed this write. Yes we are on holiday and the sea was very angry indeed when I wrote this poem. Today, much calmer, more pleasant all round. Have some treats for stepping by my fav Kat.................

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Your treats are the best and I am a lucky kitty to have them always dear Chris. I hope your holiday was fabulous! Wishing you a lovely week ahead.

[AJNJ]

Though I loved this enthralling, descriptive poem about the wild, turbulent and raging sea, what really came through for me was the spunk, the guts and the defiance of that individual who wouldn't back down at least initially. There is a fine line between being courageous and being a fool and he crossed that. But to my thinking, aren't such people the types who rebel against the general order, challenge the establishment and spearhead revolutions...? This poem got me thinking....Loved it!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you AJ. I love your point of view. Of course, you are probably right. Types like this character are the ones who dare. And by daring they may or may not win. I am thinking of Mallory, a mountaineer. One of my all time heroes. There have been so many who do their own thing and breakdown barriers. Good to have your comments. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[AJNJ]

You're welcome Ms. Chris. Enjoy your weekend too!

[John the Baptist]

This offering appears to describe an actual event. It's very descriptive, giving us a vivid picture of the sea's limitless power. I am puzzled, though, as to why some seem to tempt nature. Hillary claimed he climbed Everest because it was there. I am content, however, to let it stay there, and the sea likewise.

[Chris Shaw]

Some just have to John. They are there to break boundaries and rules. They can't help themselves. I think they are huge risk takers and enjoy being so. Many thanks for your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Some people want to be the daredevil acting like fools and then suffer the consequences or by sheer luck, they survive the ordeal. Some forces of nature can be more powerful than us mere humans and we as a Russian roulette playing with fire. I was mesmerized to know the ending and then relieved.
You can be a great story-teller!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sami, thank you so much for the read and your thoughtful response. Yes, some are dare devils.They just can't help themselves. Sometimes they get away with it like this guy did, but sometimes they miscalculate and don't live to tell the tale. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well said. You are welcome Chris.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

First of all, I loved the imagery. It also has a lot feeling to it not to mention the reason and the way you explain things are very fitting and apt. Wonderfull poem. Tyfs

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Cyprian. Pleased you enjoyed this read. It all unfolded before my eyes, early yesterday morning. We are on holiday and have wonderful views of the Breakwater outside our cottage. Today, the sea isn't so angry. She has calmed down a bit. I appreciate your thoughtful review.

Chris

[iliOZ]

the hardest thing, beside weathering the storms, is not to release the wrong kind of a genie at the wrong time is the most challenging.
knowing which one that is... is the reflection of the true character
angelically penned as usual and to the point

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you iliOZ, appreciate very much your visit and your thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris