I am finding the the punctuation of geology, coral clumps and coves,
I am learning the unwritten grammar of seaweed, of shells and of sand.
And such a hopeful ending seeing your little dragonfly, in the air.
I am down at my little Boatshed, a rare 2hrs to myself in the school holidays. Trying to sink into writing and my heart, it’s been very busy and I am trying to find my way back to writing by reading poetry. Your words and helping mine. Thank you :)
Good morning friend Kate. Thank you for your always kind comment. I'm delighted you are getting some self time again, to think and to write, and I am literally overjoyed at the thought of my own words helping!
This reminds me of one of the first posts I read of yours at the end of 2024, Dave. It inspired me to write my own on about the Desert Road in Aotearoa / New Zealand. I love how you weave the landscapes of your neigbourhood to make a profound point about being human.
Thanks my friend. I enjoyed your Aotearoa writings!
I will probably take a break from the ocean now for a while. There are other things I wish to write about, if I can find the time, though the ocean is always with me, the way deserts and mountains are too.
Thanks, David. The ocean stories reach right into core and our beginnings. I have had shoreline, sealegs as prompts this past week to write my latest so your piece touched me hugely. Yes, it is so difficult being in this environment at the moment. It is like waiting for something terrible to come next.
“I find only myself, walking” … the Observer, or as you rightly remark, the Poet who willed it into being. Lovely poem. So thoughtful. Of the Nature we inhabit. And the photos to really give us a sense of your story. Sigh. I miss the ocean.
"This is the time between times" David - this line will stay with me between all the tides of my writing. Thank you for illustrating so beautifully where we sit suspended between times, today.
May your own tides reveal new understandings, new knowledge, to share with others.
These times are... perilous, and emotional intelligence seems in short supply. We have leaders who have never possessed any themselves, and who will do what they can to suppress it in others - an emotional blockade, if you will.
You are so eloquently speaking my language! Studying EQ has been my raison d’etre since I found out it existed in 2017. Most of my writing surrounds EQ and my practice of it. I agree with you completely- not only do these leaders lack in relationship management, they have never spent a moment on introspection- they’re adverse to any inkling of self awareness, which harms all of us in one way or another.
Thank you so much for such an engaging perspective.
I have just subscribed to your Substack. I look forward to reading your work,
and I thank you for subscribing to my own.
Some of my posts here are of work written long ago. Others - such as "Low Tide" - were written the day I published them here. Substack has the advantage of immediate connection with other writers and readers. I came here to recommence publishing my Poetry, but I have stayed because of those connections, and the learning I gain from other perspectives.
Thank you my friend Síodhna. I do love your own perceptions of the world...
I came here to experiment with publishing my work again, after a long silence, but I have stayed on Substack because of the Poets and other writers I have met here.
I have never lived by the sea, but I am completely in love with it - having visited a total of 3-4 times in my life. Your poem is beautiful - yet a bit melancholic. Were you aiming for it? The pics are magnificent!
Thank you. Melancholic... yes. It is Autumn here, and although I love this season there is something of sadness in it, even though our trees never lose their leaves and the days are still warm.
Also, before writing this I spent a large part of my day reading very carefully through a prose piece by Meg, which summarises the life of her Son and middle child, Sean, who died in 2010, aged 20. She may be sending it out for potential publication, and asked my advice on possible edits. The introduction to my Post "Shaman" explains the background - but I think you have already read that.
So when I started my own writing, quite late in the day, it was from a deeply reflective place. I didn't write what I thought I was going to write....
I'm glad you enjoyed the photographs. I wish I had an underwater camera. I had my fins and mask and snorkel in my backpack, and I went swimming in one of the deep and mysterious inlets in the headland, where the sea surges in and out like breath and if you dive deep you find gorgeous fish swirling around you with the current, past fronds of seaweed waving like trees in a strong breeze.
There is a whole world down there which didn't make it into my writing, and for which I have no images other than my memory....
Beautiful words and photos, as always Dave.
My favourite lines:
I am lip reading landscape.
I am finding the the punctuation of geology, coral clumps and coves,
I am learning the unwritten grammar of seaweed, of shells and of sand.
And such a hopeful ending seeing your little dragonfly, in the air.
I am down at my little Boatshed, a rare 2hrs to myself in the school holidays. Trying to sink into writing and my heart, it’s been very busy and I am trying to find my way back to writing by reading poetry. Your words and helping mine. Thank you :)
Good morning friend Kate. Thank you for your always kind comment. I'm delighted you are getting some self time again, to think and to write, and I am literally overjoyed at the thought of my own words helping!
Best Wishes - Dave :)
This reminds me of one of the first posts I read of yours at the end of 2024, Dave. It inspired me to write my own on about the Desert Road in Aotearoa / New Zealand. I love how you weave the landscapes of your neigbourhood to make a profound point about being human.
Hey dear Richard
Thanks my friend. I enjoyed your Aotearoa writings!
I will probably take a break from the ocean now for a while. There are other things I wish to write about, if I can find the time, though the ocean is always with me, the way deserts and mountains are too.
Being human is exhausting in these times....
Best Wishes - Dave
Thanks, David. The ocean stories reach right into core and our beginnings. I have had shoreline, sealegs as prompts this past week to write my latest so your piece touched me hugely. Yes, it is so difficult being in this environment at the moment. It is like waiting for something terrible to come next.
Deserts and mountains next!
I love your ocean, your water, your openness, willingness. You embrace your world so tightly, then you let it go, like gulls flying free.
Thank you my friend.
All we have is the moment, and what it makes of us, the way each wave shapes a beach...
Best Wishes - Dave
It’s breathtaking darling boy. “You always bring back the right words!”
Love!!!! ❤️
This is gorgeous, David. A breath of fresh oceanic air! I particularly like "the unwritten grammar of seaweed, of shells and of sand." 💙
This is gorgeous, David! I love the ocean. 🩵💙
Thank you, dear Rea...
D :)
“I find only myself, walking” … the Observer, or as you rightly remark, the Poet who willed it into being. Lovely poem. So thoughtful. Of the Nature we inhabit. And the photos to really give us a sense of your story. Sigh. I miss the ocean.
Ah dear Susan
I know you are a Mariner ….
In actuality and at heart.
May you voyage again soon!
Late night here - I will set sail in my dreams….
See you on the seas :)
D
"This is the time between times" David - this line will stay with me between all the tides of my writing. Thank you for illustrating so beautifully where we sit suspended between times, today.
Thank you, dear Kaylen
May your own tides reveal new understandings, new knowledge, to share with others.
These times are... perilous, and emotional intelligence seems in short supply. We have leaders who have never possessed any themselves, and who will do what they can to suppress it in others - an emotional blockade, if you will.
I do, however, believe they will fail in the end.
We are stronger.
Best wishes
Dave
David!!
You are so eloquently speaking my language! Studying EQ has been my raison d’etre since I found out it existed in 2017. Most of my writing surrounds EQ and my practice of it. I agree with you completely- not only do these leaders lack in relationship management, they have never spent a moment on introspection- they’re adverse to any inkling of self awareness, which harms all of us in one way or another.
Thank you so much for such an engaging perspective.
Excited for your next piece! 🌊
You are welcome, dear Kaylen
I have just subscribed to your Substack. I look forward to reading your work,
and I thank you for subscribing to my own.
Some of my posts here are of work written long ago. Others - such as "Low Tide" - were written the day I published them here. Substack has the advantage of immediate connection with other writers and readers. I came here to recommence publishing my Poetry, but I have stayed because of those connections, and the learning I gain from other perspectives.
Best Wishes from Australia - Dave
I am touched, thank you for your open support and kindness. I’m thrilled to have friendship that extends to AUS!
Sending love from San Diego, CA ☀️
Oh my GOODNESS!
Ah, I love this. The photos interspersed through the poem made it really come alive, like I am there with you. Beautiful poem.
Thank you dear Carawen
I will move on to other subjects now, for a while, but the ocean is never far from my mind...
Best Wishes - Dave
For the love of the beach, so inviting.
'As a Poet I disclose my heart. Think of it as what happens at low tide when the sea goes out and you find what was there all along - now exposed'.
Lovely metaphors and images in this Dave. So much to connect to in our times, and as poets. Beautiful!
Thank you my friend Síodhna. I do love your own perceptions of the world...
I came here to experiment with publishing my work again, after a long silence, but I have stayed on Substack because of the Poets and other writers I have met here.
Best Wishes - Dave
I have never lived by the sea, but I am completely in love with it - having visited a total of 3-4 times in my life. Your poem is beautiful - yet a bit melancholic. Were you aiming for it? The pics are magnificent!
Hey dear Naz
Thank you. Melancholic... yes. It is Autumn here, and although I love this season there is something of sadness in it, even though our trees never lose their leaves and the days are still warm.
Also, before writing this I spent a large part of my day reading very carefully through a prose piece by Meg, which summarises the life of her Son and middle child, Sean, who died in 2010, aged 20. She may be sending it out for potential publication, and asked my advice on possible edits. The introduction to my Post "Shaman" explains the background - but I think you have already read that.
So when I started my own writing, quite late in the day, it was from a deeply reflective place. I didn't write what I thought I was going to write....
I'm glad you enjoyed the photographs. I wish I had an underwater camera. I had my fins and mask and snorkel in my backpack, and I went swimming in one of the deep and mysterious inlets in the headland, where the sea surges in and out like breath and if you dive deep you find gorgeous fish swirling around you with the current, past fronds of seaweed waving like trees in a strong breeze.
There is a whole world down there which didn't make it into my writing, and for which I have no images other than my memory....
And maybe that is best.
D