We wash our face in the water current
It is cool
A welcome ease from the raging fire
The escalating climate around us
We sip a little
Quench our thirst
The days are shorter
The crisis has ended
No more pursuit of tricks and lies
No more chasing Rabbit
We gather our thoughts
A pretty collection of pebbles that we can hold firmly in our hand
From a distance we watch the ocean breathe in and out
The waves make little impact upon the rocks
A mere kiss arriving softly on the craggy lines
A tender touch
We count them
Add up the numbers greedily
If we don't they will disappear
It is a welcome break from our fate
A light cast upon our ignorance
Turning full circle into knowledge
The arrival of another source that seizes our soul
Lifts us up
One way or another we will gather ourselves together
Just like we always do.
I love the calmness in this poem, the thoughts like pebbles you can hold firmly in your hand. Can you see the ocean from your window? I do hope so, that would be so wonderful. The escalating climate is a worry, the crises are accelerating. Autumn is closing in here, too. It is welcome. The million tourists have the villagers walking around with crazed eyes, and terrified to drive on the narrow streets full of gigantic RV's. LOL. I loved this poem, Jae.
ReplyDeleteWhere can we find this place you speak of Jae for no country seems to lift my soul at the moment? Our leader are obsessed with profit and being encouraged by miners and investors while our world writhes in pain. Here's hoping there's a light on the horizon...hopefully tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteSadly, there isn't enough water to quench the aftereffects of that fire.. the consequences of burning our own forests will be dire.
ReplyDeleteIt is always good when can gather oneself up. Washing one's face in cool water sometimes soothes the spirit.
ReplyDeleteThere is an echo of a crisis postponed (or lurking) but the peace in the poem is welcome.
ReplyDeleteThe arrival of another source that seizes our soul... to me that's the line that sums your poem up. when i read your poems there's a message i detect but because i am always in a hurry, i sometimes miss it. but yeah, your poems make readers think and they are always trancelike. great write!
ReplyDeleteI feel like we will have these brief moments of relaxing before it's back into the furnace again... we need those breaks.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful light shed on resilience and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteI do so love that hopeful note at the end! In a world of raging fires, and tricks and lies, we need all the hope we can get.
ReplyDeleteIt's the only thing we can do--our best--to make things as good as we can. Counting our pebbles (and blessings) is a great way to go, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe waves make little impact upon the rocks
ReplyDeletethe great irony in this. little impacts which add up to erosion - much like the greater play at hand with our little impacts here and there until the impacts start to push right back. nice write
'Just like we always do.' Something to trust in.
ReplyDeleteI admire the way you have so efficiently avoided following the 'lead' provided by the words this week.
ReplyDeleteI love the story here, the way you play with words and scenes. Most of all, I appreciate the hope.
ReplyDeleteLove the water current you begin with in the opening line … it felt as though it cascades through the piece. Though the are raging fires there is that trickle of hope that you speak to in the close.
ReplyDeleteMy Gran used to say always know there are many who are worse off.Life is not easy. The thing is getting through somehow.We all develop different strategies to accomplish this. This is a very nice poem. I'll read it again.
ReplyDeleteI like the gentle determination of this piece. Crisises will come and go but together, they will make what they can out of what is left.
ReplyDelete