THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

Any time is a good time to pause and reflect upon where we've been, where we are, and where we are going.

The Old Man went down to the seaside

To see what all he could see---

He saw reflected in mirrored ocean waves

----His life as it was meant to be.

He beheld there many meditative faces

Faces of faded foes and friends--

He watched the waves splash over them

Etching a memorial to where he's been.

He remembered both good and ill times

Success and failures along life's long way;

He prayed for guidance to live a bit longer

------As he bravely faced another day.

A white seagull encircled his presence

As the Old Man scratched his wrinkled brow;

He prayed a Blessing over his grandchildren

----As on his sandy bare knees he bowed.

It was just another seaside wind-blown day

When the Old Man went down to the sea;

But that day will live long in historic infamy---

-----Because that Old Man----is Me!

2013 by DRR

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this today my friend

Reviews

[ANTO]

The seaside is such a wonderful place for reflection Doug. It reminds us of our size in the great scheme of things and that theres much more 'out there', if you will.
You brought the seaside to us which is much better than travelling to the seaside from my part of Belfast at 10:30pm - in the dark...lol
Well told in the story-tellers tradition.

[poetdoug]

Anto, thanks for your most welcome Belfast review. An honor to hear from you my friend.

[zainul]

Very splendid write.
Felt to find any reference of Earnest Hemingway.
But at the end a new person, Doug emerged with his own identity.
Enjoyed reading.

[poetdoug]

Thank you Zainul---you are most clever and welcome my friend.

[zainul]

You are most welcome,dear poet.:)
I take the opportunity to congratulate you for crafting such a nice piece.

[poetdoug]

Thank you for your positive encouragement my friend

[Frieda P]

Love your reflective musings in this one poetdoug....the sea is such a perfect place for such meditations, lovely read.

[poetdoug]

Yes, I agree. Thanks for your kind and thoughtful review my friend.

[Frieda P]

Was my pleasure, I really enjoy'd this piece.

[Talkless]

Beautifully written and very constructive.

[poetdoug]

thank you Talkless

[Baby Ricochet]

Great reflective piece Doug. Good job,

[poetdoug]

Thanks so much my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

A great read and write. It was splendid...:)

[poetdoug]

With sincere appreciation Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Sam]

I greatly enjoyed this piece. A self reflection but unknown until the very end.
I like your flow your choice of wording. It was beautiful to say the least. Thank you for the read request.

[poetdoug]

Thank you so much Sam

[Sam]

Your welcome.

[Riding the Rainbow]

This was an amazing piece, my friend..
It really touched my heart and every word was like a hand touching my soul.
Well done..

[poetdoug]

Thanks so much Kejara. I trust you do well in your contest also my friend

[Riding the Rainbow]

thank you**fingers crossed**

[Avinash]

Most Soulful Piece coming from your stores. The words project all the pictures so vividly on mental screen.
It shows gratitude and grace towards life. Many men would like to grow like that. Standing, running, falling and finally reflecting. We come and go but poems like these are eternal, outlasting our own existence , which is the desire of every soul which visits this place.

[poetdoug]

I am most grateful for your perspective Avinash. Thank you my friend