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She stood at the edge of the shore’s tideland
Staring hard at something that can’t be seen
Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand
Curiously watching, as I’ve heard it firsthand
She’s pining for her lover who was lost in the sea
She stood at the edge of the shore’s tideland
There’s a paleness about her and a state of dreamland
Her eyes never waver from this horizon’s scene
Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand
A girl of eighteen when her man met his end
Time was stopped suddenly, no longer routine
She stood at the edge of the shore’s tideland
It’s been forty years that she’s continued her scan
Black garb she wears of silken sateen
Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand
The legend of this romance that once was so grand
Now has no survivors–who could have foreseen
She stood at the edge of the shore’s tideland
Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand
My entry for The Gooseberry Garden, Poetry Picnic Week 7: Love and Loss http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/
contemplativemoorings
/ January 23, 2011The sea is a merciless beast……
Bodhirose
/ January 23, 2011Oh, yeah–sure can be.
Tamasin
/ January 23, 2011what a wonderful phrase – broken shells and seaweed etched in the sand..beautiful
Bodhirose
/ January 23, 2011Thank you, Tamasin, I appreciate that.
Jamie Dedes, all rights reserved
/ January 23, 2011The seafaring life was hard on those who went out and those left behind. Beautifully illustrated by you in this poem. Thank you! I love anything about the sea.
angelina
/ January 24, 2011Lovely, lovely poem! Your words come to life and describes vividly your subject.
Thank you for visiting my blogs. ; )
Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Oh, I had to think a moment of who you are. I discovered your wonderful blogs yesterday–nice to see you here. Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
You’re welcome…
Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011The sea has swallowed up a lot of poor souls. I’m glad you enjoyed this today, Jamie.
trisha
/ January 24, 2011this is just heavenly. you portrayed the melancholia so perfectly.
Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Sad, huh…
Thank you, Trisha–I appreciate your nice words.
trisha
/ January 25, 2011sad and very beautiful.
Bodhirose
/ January 25, 2011Thanks again.
gracefulglider
/ January 24, 2011Lovely poem Gayle and love the repetion of
‘Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand’
….i have a friend who would have become a lover out at sea… though i know it will never be… i still pray for him.. i really connect with this..
Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thank you so very much, Wanjiku. That would be difficult–to love someone who’s work was out at sea. There are many who are lost that choose that way of life. Happy to see your visit today. xoxo
Katherine
/ January 24, 2011This is a pretty villanelle. Sad, but written very well. The ache for a lost love can span time.
Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011The ache can last a lifetime or it can take one. Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
apollorose
/ January 25, 2011This reminds me of the play Riders of the Sea by John Millington Synge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riders_to_the_Sea
“Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand.” Repeated, it sums up a feeling of sorrow but also hope. Things “etched” in sand usually are washed away.
Bodhirose
/ January 25, 2011Thanks for the link, Apollorose, I had not heard of this play. How tragic. As I read the story and it said that Bartley was going to go off to sell his horse, I did not see it coming that he would be the last of the men in the family to lose his life to the sea. It’s beyond tragic!
Thanks for sharing this with me. You’re right too about the etchings being washed away. That’s exactly what those shore waves do.
Sumit Sarkar
/ January 26, 2011Fantastic imagery…
I love your work :)
Bodhirose
/ January 26, 2011Oh, that’s so nice to hear, Sumit. Thanks for saying so. xoxo
Pamanner
/ October 3, 2011Awh, the dark side of the sea. . .love lost. Beautiful imagery.
http://pamanner.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/source/
Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thanks so much for your visit, Pamanner.
Morning
/ October 3, 2011sad, powerful piece.
Thanks for the wishes in my place
Happy Poetry Picnic.
Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Yes, sad when someone is lost out there.
You’re welcome–I hope you had a nice day. xoxo
charlesmashburn
/ October 3, 2011Very nice write, Gayle. Vivid in it’s mood and scene. I could imagine sharp edges of broken shells pricking my feet, and the cool of seaweed and and sand. Love this lonely story.
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/two-yearning-heart/
Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thank you, Charles–those shells can be sharp can’t they. I’m glad you liked it.
June_Butterfly
/ October 3, 2011So sad!!But somehow beautiful as true love always is!Every word struck a chord.Almost made me cry!Especially because I love the sea.Beautiful write!
Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2011So happy you enjoyed this–thank you, June.
Sarah Johnston
/ October 4, 2011such a lovely poem and so sad
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/10/03/memories-and-photographs-of-you/#comment-1370
Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2011Thank you for your visit and comment, Sarah.
fiveloaf
/ October 5, 2011nice mellow mood that tells a nice story- great work gayle! this week’s gooseberry.. http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/scented-promises/
Bodhirose
/ October 5, 2011Thank you, Kris–that’s kind of you to say. :)
Shashi (@VerseEveryDay)
/ October 7, 2011Dear Gayle
Ahh!!! So much longing and even after so many decades… it resonates within her… Its beautiful…. just like the “Broken shells and seaweed are etched in the sand”
Thanks for sharing. Look forward to your entry in the coming poetry picnic week 8 theme “Friends, relationship… ”
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/10/whispers-love-and-loss-butterfly.html
Bodhirose
/ October 8, 2011Thank you, Shashi–for such a generous comment. And I appreciate you coming by–I know how busy you must be.
Gayle ~