March 2020 SOLC–Day 27
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Tabatha Yeatts, at her blog, The Opposite of Indifference. She’s sharing a lovely original poem about acceptance.
I woke this morning to the news that many Maine beaches are now closed to the public. Some people are ranting and raving about this on local social media. I get it. I hate that the beaches are being closed. But I also accept the sad necessity.
Nevertheless, I feel bereft this morning. The beaches and time spent walking alongside the ocean sustain me, especially in times when I feel adrift. I had intended to head to the beach later this afternoon. I know that I’m very fortunate to have tremendous access to nature even without the beaches. Still, I’m grieving.
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
Nix the comfort zone 
thank you for sharing such a gorgeous poem and photos! i especially love the lighthouse surrounded by fog. such a mix of feelings–gratitude, disappointment, and acceptance of our current reality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mixed feelings indeed…
LikeLike
It is so strange to see everything so empty. Acceptance is definitely key managing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Managing this is an ongoing process with so many different stages.
LikeLike
An amazing sonnet! I love “allegro transforms to adagio.” I recently encountered the word susurrant with my students and wrote a definito. Such a wonderful word. And then your photos which take me on a virtual walk on the beach. I’m sorry they are closed. But they are not gone. There’s comfort in that thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret, that thought has been comforting to me as well. I was just thinking that this could be very positive for some of the endangered beach nesting bird populations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because sonnets are so difficult to write, I am in awe of their creators. I love this one especially, the susurrant surf and the final couplet: becoming less and more. The photos are perfect accompaniments. Thank you for sharing this today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diane. This was my first sonnet and I definitely found it a challenge to write, but mostly an enjoyable one.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful place you live, Molly, and you capture it with skill. I especially was taken with the final couplet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’m grateful daily for where I live, Tabatha. Even though I can’t go to the beaches now, I have many other options, including a beautiful river only a mile away.
LikeLike
Beautiful images & words…I am especially drawn to your final line: “I feel myself become both less and more”. This will sit with me for a long time. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Walking at the beach always brings me such solace. I suppose I’ll only treasure it more when I can do so once again.
LikeLike
Molly, this sonnet is a balm for my soul. There is musicality in your sonnet. It looks like this was easy to write because it reads easily–though I know sonnets are NOT easy to write. And then, the photographs…one after the next so stunning. I feel like I have been to the beach and absorbed some of the peace of ‘take myself to wander by the sea.” Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Linda. I will miss the solace of the ocean.
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures! The beach and ocean is my happy place so it does make me sad to hear about them being closed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. One of my favorite things to do is wander along the beach in the early morning or late afternoon. I’ll definitely miss it, but perhaps we’ll discover other places that will become near and dear to us as well.
LikeLike
Words and pictures together become more powerful and tell the true story. Beautifully crafted piece.
I wonder what the animals and sea creatures would write knowing their waters belong to only them again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve wondered about the wildlife as well. It occurs to me that this could be a boon for endangered beach-nesting birds.
LikeLike
Your poem followed by the gorgeous photographs had the feeling of wonder that I, having grown up in Indiana, felt when I first saw the ocean.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How old were you when you first saw the ocean, Diane? I grew up in Ohio but we often went to see relatives in NJ and I don’t remember the first time I saw the ocean.
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures of all the moods and colours of an ocean and such an amazing sonnet!
I will try to help you with your grieving by saying that I teach kids here who will probably never see any ocean in their whole lifetime and that has made me sad and regretful for ten years, that I can’t just whisk them down to the magic of a beach and the salty sea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Where are you located?
LikeLike
From Australia but running a school in north east India, it’s a landlocked state and kids are too poor generally to ever leave the state.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing that perspective. I was taken aback by how much the beach closures affected me emotionally. I know that I am rich in oh-so-many ways and do appreciate that on a daily basis. I’m off to check out your slices and gain some more perspective. Thanks again!
LikeLike
Oh Molly, this is incredible! I want to save this one for my notebook. It speaks to me so deeply. Absolutely gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Paula. When I heard the news this morning, it felt so devastating. I guess it was just another straw piled on many others, but it felt like I’d lost a life line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was hoping to head to Reid this weekend. I’ll just stay in the woods, fields, and river close to home I guess. Tough one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And aren’t we oh-so-lucky to have those woods, fields and rivers near our homes! I remind myself of that all the time. Take care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glorious photos and a dazzling sonnet to float my thoughts back to my love-the ocean. Molly, our beautiful, extended boardwalk was closed today. The virus is spreading all around me so I know why it was closed but it still leaves a void. These lines lead me to my explanation why there is a void: Such wonders nudge my worries to the side
a heartfelt sigh escapes my lips like prayer
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know we share a love of the ocean, Carol. I will miss the comfort it brings me, but hope that staying away helps reduce virus transmission. At least it’s something I can do.
LikeLike
Ah…such lovely images! Just what I needed today as I mourn the loss of access to my own beach. I miss the seabirds, the spray of the surf, the squish under my feet-and so much more! I love that lighthouse photo–so gorgeous! Something we don’t have in my parts. (And your poem is beautiful too) Thanks Molly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I will miss the ocean breeze the most–it never fails to push all the murk and debris away and restore and refresh me. I’m going to try to take a page from your book and look closer at what’s around me. Also, luckily I have many other options for outdoor exploration and I’m sure happy discoveries await.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a beautiful & heart-felt sonnet, Molly. I read Carol V’s post who also said her nearby beach has closed. I am sad for all of you. Our parks are closed to all as well & it makes me sad especially for the older kids who play tennis & basketball, working off the energy! I do get to visit a nearby lake once in a while, but it too has now closed. I feel your hurt! And your poem gives voice to all of our disappointments: “Such wonders nudge my worries to the side” feels hard to lose. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. I feel so bad for people in the cities who don’t have access to the out of doors. My oldest daughter is sheltering in place with her roommate in Philadelphia, thankful for a small back balcony. I feel spoiled with all the options I have, but the loss of beach access still cut deep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was going to start by commenting on the poem – but – OH – the pictures. My goodness! They are breathtaking. And the line “allegro transforms to adagio” accompanies them beautifully. Wow. The whole post is just WOW. (My aunt lives in Cayman Islands and they are very close to closing the beaches there, too, because people will NOT stop congregating there. SIGH. They are hoping to keep them open, but people simply must take this pandemic seriously. Here’s hoping your beaches open again soon.)
LikeLike
Beautiful!
I am right there with you. Day by day more and more closures around us. It seems hard to believe that nature can be closed off from us but you are right. It is a sad necessity right now!
LikeLike
The beach closures were another blow in this insularity. Your photos and words were a balm.
LikeLike
I hope you get to the ocean again soon! Such amazing photos and heartfelt poem about the sea. “I feel myself become less and more” is a wonderful ending.
LikeLike
Beautiful post through and through! Thanks so much for your gorgeous, heartfelt poem. “allegro transforms to adagio” and the last lines are my favorite. The breathtaking pics are so calming — easy to see why the beach is your happy place of inspiration, solace, and reflection.
LikeLike
Gorgeous gorgeous poem followed by pictures the same. Thank you so much for this… lovely! I take myself to wander by the sea… wishing you new wanderings…
LikeLike
Oh, your photos! Oh, your sonnet…especially that final couplet. I’m feeling your pain.
LikeLike
Those photos are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing your past trips to the beach, Your poem is lovely with its longing and gratitude.
LikeLike
Bravo, Molly! Your sonnet is amazing. I love the truth of the final couplet. And your photos are stunning. I’m sorry the beaches are closed. I know what a source of inspiration they are to you. Here’s hoping they will be open again soon.
LikeLike
Your last two lines are just so perfect. I feel they should be on a poster – the takeaway that we don’t want to forget, from this whole experience 0- and not just related to beaches. Life. Not just about hustle and bustle. Rejoicing in simplicity.
Australia had to close beaches because people had to abuse guidelines. It’s so sad that everyone suffers for the selfishness of the few. Hugs across the oceans.
Your photography…💕
LikeLike