Welcome to this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup! This is my first time hosting and I must say, when I signed up, August seemed so far away! Yikes! Holy Speeding Summer, Batman! Regardless, I’m simultaneously delighted to be here and desperately hoping that the link up works. If it does, it’s thanks to Catherine Flynn. (Thank you! Thank you, Catherine!) If it doesn’t…well, it’s my fault, but at least I’ll have something to write about on Tuesday for Slice of Life. On a related note, please attribute any typos in this post to multiple crossed fingers.
As August flies by and the school year rushes forward, I’ve been reflecting on my summer. One of the highlights has been participating in Tabatha Yeatt’s Summer Poetry Swap. In the past I’d always been a bit intimidated by the Poetry Swap posts that were shared. Frankly, I’m still intimidated, but I’ve also been highly motivated. Even though it’s not always comfortable, that might not be a bad combination. It’s certainly pushed me to be productive, and sometimes my efforts have sparked new ideas and multiple poems.
Recently, I was working on a swap poem and really struggling. Nothing seemed to fall into place. I kept writing, discarding, revising, whining (By the way, does a whine still count as a whine even if I’m the only one around to hear it?)…at any rate, you get the idea. I finally gave up on that poem and started from scratch, creating a wholly different one to send out. But the rejected poem had other ideas and kept nudging me to finish it. So, today I’m sharing the sonnet that refused to be rejected and that I’ve been tinkering with ever since. It’s driven me a bit mad, which is more than a bit ironic, but here it is.
The Solace of the Ocean: A Sonnet
When I feel overwhelmed and tempest-tossed
and crave perspective and serenity
when life feels like a battle I have lost
I take myself to wander by the sea
‘Midst drifts of fog or dazzling rays of sun
in dawn’s soft hues or evening’s golden glow
one breath and the enchantment has begun
allegro transforms to adagio
Susurrant surf or tossing, tumbling tide
The redolence of rose in briny air
Such wonders nudge my worries to the side
a heartfelt sigh escapes my lips like prayer
And slowly as I linger and explore
I feel myself become both less and more
©2018 Molly Hogan
Thanks for stopping by for this week’s Roundup. Don’t forget that bird lover and poet Christie Wyman at Wandering and Wondering has a challenge for next week. She’ll be hosting PF and on her post last week invited everyone to “fly along” and write a bird-related poem.
Please click below to link your Poetry Friday post.
Nix the comfort zone 
[…] Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. Head over there for lots more poetry […]
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Oh Molly. That poem is absolutely perfect and I am so glad you worked on it. If I’d been part of the poetry swap I would swear you had written that poem just for me. Amazing. My favourite line is: Susurrant surf or tossing, tumbling tide
because of the brilliant alliteration and the use of susurrant, but I also just adore the whole poem for its perfection.
Thanks for sharing and for hosting. You can uncross those fingers now.
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Thanks, Sally! The poem felt very personal to me (part of why I discarded it as a swap poem) and I’m delighted it resonates with you as well. Wouldn’t it be lovely to walk on a beach together? Perhaps someday…
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Thanks for hosting us, Molly! You’re doing a great job 🙂 I can’t believe it’s August already either!!
“allegro transforms to adagio” is a beautiful description.
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Thanks, Tabatha. Musical terminology isn’t my forte, but that felt so right! I love that shift in my inner tempo that comes with time at the beach.
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Your poem is perfect even though the struggle was real, as you stated. I’m glad it persisted.
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It was a pretty epic struggle, Amy! lol Actually, it wasn’t very pretty…but I, too, am glad I persisted. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Thanks for hosting! Congratulations on your first time! Love the ending of your poem!!
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Thanks, Mary Lee. The ending was one of the few parts that came together relatively easily and stayed put! Glad you liked it.
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Molly, you’ve done a wonderful job of hosting Poetry Friday. You know, sometimes writing just takes its time. This sonnet is lovely. The ocean is all that you describe…restoration of my soul.
This week, I’m sharing a review of the verse novel, Jazz Owls.
https://awordedgewiselindamitchell.blogspot.com/
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Thanks, Linda! I love verse novels and am looking forward to reading your review. What a great title!
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Gorgeous poem, it tastes of the ocean and solace that it can offer. I like your leading off with this line, it sets the mood well,
“When I feel overwhelmed and tempest-tossed.” Thanks for hosting the Roundup, and that serene, and luscious image too!
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Thanks, Michelle. That line was the first that came to me and started off the whole process. It changed a bit, but it was the hook that pulled me in. So glad it worked for you!
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I’ll be back in the morning to post my link (because I like to let my post sit a bit, settle a bit.) We are such poetry comrades! I love your sonnet and how you stuck it through, or rather it wouldn’t let you go. I’ve been there. Done that. Conquered that. Uh, well, maybe, almost. So unsure of myself as a poet. My favorite lines have to be the last two, “And slowly as I linger and explore
I feel myself become both less and more” This is so me. And my 2018 word is Explore. Thanks for hosting.
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Margaret, I know exactly what you mean about letting your post settle. It took me a while, but I’ve finally learned that I never regret waiting to post, and typically am thankful I did. Oh, and appropriately enough, my OLW for 2018 is Pause! I look forward to reading your post later.
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Thanks for hosting, Molly – and for sharing these lovely images in your poem! Looks like we’re both sharing sonnets today as well as enjoying the Maine oceanside.
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Can’t wait to read your sonnet, Matt. Maine and the ocean both inspire poetry, don’t they!?
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Molly, since I have been playing around with the sonnet form and put my aside, I am so impressed with what you did with yours. What a pairing of poem and photo-this would be a proud addition to my gallery for sure. I adore your alliteration and the ending is just right-so inspirational. Thanks for being such a splendid hostess. I have been itching to post my blog which is a stop the Great Morning! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud Blog Tour.
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Thanks, Carol! This is my second sonnet and both of them have worked me to the bone! I find that writing within a structure forces me to really dig deep and consider what I want to say–perhaps a bit more than free verse (which is more comfortable for me). It’s also a much longer process, but such a rewarding challenge. Good luck with your sonnet!
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[…] Happy Poetry Friday and thanks to Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone for hosting! So much feels possible in summer. Especially in a garden. May every last summer day […]
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I see I’m not alone in loving the poem, for its alliteration, word choice and message. I love the references to music, too.
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Thanks, Brenda. There’s such music at the beach!
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Such music in summer. 🙂
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[…] by the way, Molly is hosting Poetry Friday today at Nix the Comfort Zone, so I hope you’ll stop by and say […]
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[…] be sure to visit my lovely friend Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone for the Poetry Friday […]
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Yay, it worked! Thank you for hosting today, Molly. Your sonnet is breath-taking. I love every line. And, of course, your photo is stunning and complements your poem perfectly. Kudos to you for persevering!
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Thanks again so much for your help, Catherine! You’re a lifesaver!
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When you are being nudged Molly, what better backdrop for your thinking than the sea. The result is a special sonnet that refused to be kept from the light. Well done you for such active listening. Thanks also for hosting. Glad I dropped by.
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I’m glad you dropped by as well, and look forward to reading your post! Thanks, Alan!
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Molly, I am constantly refreshed by reading your poetry, and this is no exception. Beautifully done. Such complexity yet simplicity. I love the rich vocabulary you used so seemlessly. Adore this. (And yes – thank-you for hosting, too. But mostly, thank-you for this poem.)
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Wow, Kat, thanks! Your kind words mean so much to me.
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I like your sonnet very much! Thanks for hosting! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Ruth! I can’t tell you how relieved I am that the link up worked! lol
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Lovely. Just lovely.
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Thanks, Judy. I do wish we could wander the beach together!
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Brilliantly done, Molly! I’m so impressed with that sonnet. I’ve never tackled one. And “susurrant.” What a perfectly delicious word that is! Just last week my husband and I were discussing how we need to live closer to the ocean and how the sound of the surf makes us forget all of life’s woes if just for a while. It would appear the link up is working, so well done on that, too. I’m still a bit stressed about how to manage that next week. Sounds like I can tap you and Catherine! Thanks for including a reminder about my bird poem challenge!
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Thanks, Christie. This is my second sonnet and while I find them very challenging, I also enjoy (mostly) the process. I’m sure you’d knock it out of the park if you tried it! I’m looking forward to your hosting next week and to seeing the flock of bird poems!
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[…] Poetry Friday, everyone! Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone is our lovely hostess this week. I had the great good fortune to meet Molly IRL, as they say, a […]
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Thanks for hosting, Molly! I’m glad that sonnet was persistent–and that you kept listening to what it wanted to say. It is gorgeous!
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Thanks, Kay. It certainly was persistent! I’m so glad it finally pulled together.
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I guess as your blog title suggests, you’re open to pushing the boundaries. Nice sonnet. I’ve always wanted to try one but haven’t managed yet. I’ll be hosting for the first time soon, too. You’re right, time does go by quickly!
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I’m not good at pushing boundaries, but I inspire to be so! lol I chose the title as a reminder to myself– a perpetual nudge in that direction! You’ll enjoy hosting PF –it’s fun!
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I escape to Lake Michigan whenever I can, so your sonnet really struck a chord with me! I especially enjoy the alliteration (“Susurrant surf or tossing, tumbling tide”) and the satisfying ending.
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Thanks! We just spent time on a lake and enjoyed it so much! Now we’re trying to figure out how we can live on a lake, within a short commute of the ocean. Just call me greedy!
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Thank you for hosting. I’m glad you continues to work on the poem. It’s gorgeous. And this word: Susurrant.
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Thanks, Jone. Isn’t susurrant a great word!?
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So perfect an expression of time ocean side: “I feel myself become both less and more”.
Thanks for hosting!
Got your beautiful poetry package today!!! Hope to include it next Friday’s post if that’s okay.
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I’m so glad you got the package and would love to see you include it in your post next week.
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What a gorgeous poem. I absolutely love the ending.
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Thanks, Liz. I’m so glad you liked it!
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Somehow I only responded to your post in my head before… oops. Thank you for hosting – well done! – and for sharing your beautiful words. The sea is restorative to me, too. Your thoughts & images remind me of e. e. cummings’ “For whatever we lose(like a you or a me) / it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.”
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Thanks so much for sharing the e.e. cummings’ quote. It’s lovely and encapsulates so much of what I feel about the ocean.
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[…] via Poetry Friday is here! […]
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