A lagoon in Port Albion I once
was privileged to live beside
When ripples disturb
the surface
of the sleepy lagoon
that is my life,
when skunk cabbage and stinkweed
elbow their way in
and wave their smelly fronds
in my face,
when the waters grow turgid
and the channels clogged,
as if the pond floor has become
an uneasy agitated beast,
May I focus on
the lotus blossom
in the center,
let the ripples flow
off and away,
breathe in the peace and beauty
of the flower's waxy bloom.
May the swan of All-That-Is-Not
carry itself to the farthest bank,
making way for
the small fuzzy ducklings
of gratitude and serenity,
thankfulness
for All-That-Is.
A poem from December 2012, posted for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United on Sunday.
This is wonderful, Sherry. I love it. And you, too.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the lotus blossom...if only we would also find that kind of focus!
ReplyDeleteYour descriptions are always wonderfully vivid and real. I love the focus on the lotus, and also the names you have given the swan and the ducklings.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Especially the personification of Skunk cabbage and stink weed, haha! And that last stanza takes my breath away. The photo is pretty hot as well. This is my new favorite of yours.
ReplyDeletea beautiful yin and yang poem Sherry...
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I just loved the swan of all that's not... great writing and your style just shines through.
ReplyDeleteThis reads like a prayer, Sherry. A true (and very welcomed) prayer. Life is such much better when we dedicate ourselves to what (and better yet, what is beautiful and good).
ReplyDeleteThe contrasts here is stunning.. The lotus and the ducklings put against the stinkweed and skunk cabbage.. Always search for beauty.
ReplyDeleteGosh! Such gorgeous contrasts here :D especially love the reference to "breathe in the peace and beauty of the flower's waxy bloom." Beautifully executed.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
Nobody writes about nature quite like you. Love the flow of "gratitude and serenity" that it is imbued with.
ReplyDeleteMay the swan of All-That-Is-Not carry itself to the farthest bank - what a superb line..made me smile and wonder..you have such a glorious and unique view of the world and a strength which shines..
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteThat busy paddling unseen is clearly all that is not, while we think how easily the Swan glides across the water. All of your poetry reflects your observation of the natural world with such love, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteA lovely picture, Sherry. You make such good use of it's component parts and the life that inhabits it to make a universal statement.
ReplyDeleteThe last two verses are beautiful. "May I focus on the Lotus Blossom" Yes, in the journey we must try and focus on the beauty or we ourselves might become stagnant.
ReplyDeleteoh yes, the lotus blossom!
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is really well done here, Sherry, is your structure and line breaks. There is a great flow and movement to the piece. Nice.
ReplyDeleteSherry, you have no idea how much this poem lightens my mood. It reminds me not to dwell on things that aren't happening and be grateful for what is. This poem, to me, is a prayer and I am grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a prayer. Om Mani Padme Hum: The jewel in the lotus of the heart.
ReplyDeleteYou have conjured such hope in "the swan of All-That-Is-Not" bravo Sherry
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you dropped by my Sunday Lime today
Much love...
Lovely - almost prayer-like - in its simple contemplation of that which is and the serenity to be gleaned in finding beauty amid the smelly fronds.
ReplyDeleteLovely, positive spirit pervades this poem.. love the swan-of-all-that-is not juxtaposed with thankfulness of all-that-is
ReplyDeleteThat lotus blossom at the center, may we all find it within our own being,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
making way for
ReplyDeletethe small fuzzy ducklings
of gratitude and serenity
A peaceful scene very rightly captured of swans and ducklings mesmerizing one's appreciation of nature, Sherry!
Hank
A wonderful poem Sherry.
ReplyDeleteMakes me dream of such a lovely place.
ReplyDeletewell written.
ZQ
That lagoon is beautiful! The first stanza is so simple and says so much Sherry! This piece is totally zen within that lagoon. Nature makes me feel this way too.
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the lotus and ignoring the stink weed is the right attitude.
ReplyDeleteSherry, you can take the ordinary and make extraordinary, in a few well-placed words, in your stanzas.
ReplyDeleteA prayer and a meditation in one - very vivid!
ReplyDelete