Absolution
A Poem
Kick off your shoes, race across the damp sand
Wade in past your toes, ankles, knees, and hips
Joints may be stiff, but for the child inside
Jumping waves is still muscle memory
You’ve seen sunlight kiss the sea many times
And it always awakens hidden hopes
It’s the embrace of perfect unity
Purest illumination finds refuge
In a partner who has nothing to hide
We stare because such a bond eludes us
For even children harbor dark secrets
Within the mud they clench in stubborn fists
From our youth we see that which we can’t have
Still we search for such closeness everywhere
Of a soul’s transparency set ablaze
In places where we can empty ourselves
Into sacred pools of water on fire
To be washed clean again, forsaking shame
So love won't have to hold us at arm's length
But there is no immersion that can save
Only a sign for those who can see it
To seek a true source of absolution
Cleansing not our skin, but the blood beneath
Tell me, what do you hear in light’s laughter
As it plays on the cresting wave’s surface?
A calling to look a little closer
Or a joy that’s mirroring its maker’s?
What do you see in your own reflection
Just before the eruption of sea foam
Roars in your ears and consumes you in white?
A reminder of the you who once was
Or a fleeting glimpse of who you could be?
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
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Comments (20)
This is beautiful DK, - describes well the beach goer in me. Congratulations on honorable mention. Nicely Done!!!
Happy belated congrats, D.K.! This held my attention the whole time and painted such a beautiful picture made of sunshine and ocean waves. So glad it gained some recognition! -Still we search for such closeness everywhere Of a soul’s transparency set ablaze In places where we can empty ourselves Into sacred pools of water on fire- 🤩
This part stood out to me: "But there is no immersion that can save, only a sign for those who can see it, to seek a true source of absolution." Congratulations, DK, on your placement in this challenge! 🥰🥰🥰
Wooohooooo congratulations on your honourable mention! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This made me smile and left me with such a hopeful feeling!! Congrats on honourable mention in the Light Breaks Challenge, DK!!
Pally, you did it! Cracked into the challenge results! I'm very pleased for you! May only be an HM, but at least you get some cashola for it! It was nice looking through the long list of people I didn't know and seeing one of my favourites! Made up a little for not placing! lol!
A "Love at First Sight" poem! This has too many stunning, favourite lines to highlight. Already can't wait to read it again and again. DK, this energy signature you've left on the world...it is beyond price and precious.
Oh, I love this, DK! So tender and haunting. Really beautiful how it begins with a sense of playfulness and then deepens, slowly, into something quite spiritual. Gorgeous! So many great lines but really loved, "In places where we can empty ourselves Into sacred pools of water on fire" ✨
Fabulous poem for the challenge… I love it all, but especially: “Tell me, what do you hear in light’s laughter As it plays on the cresting wave’s surface? A calling to look a little closer Or a joy that’s mirroring its maker’s?”💖
Gosh this was soooo beautiful! I especially loved the lights laughter!
It felt like a nostalgic dive into the waters of childhood. But then the waves came in and we start pondering our darkness and guilt, never seeing what we want in our reflection as the waters always ripple and try to pull us down. But we get that moment where all things clear and the reflection brings things to light. At least, that's how I interpreted it (one of millions of interpretations to be made), haha. This is a perfect, powerful poem, D.K.!
This is beautiful, DK! The imagery of the sea foam was both a powerful metaphor and potently evoked the experience of a wave crashing upon us. I loved the build up to potentiality in your finale, too. Wonderful challenge entry! Good luck!
Beautiful! I loved these lines, especially the stress I felt on the first three words, "For even children harbor dark secrets, Within the mud they clench in stubborn fists"
Beautiful imagery, I think this will go far
Oh this is really clever - I love how at some points in time it's possible to see who we were and who we could still become. I hope you're right because sometimes it feels like I'm running out of time! This was so good DK.
This is great, DK, love this <3
I see both... both!!! As an eternal water baby, I adore the sea. It is completely freeing for me. Thank you for mirroring the way I feel!
Another great job DK. I would like to ask you some questions via private email. My email address is [email protected] ---- If you could please email me, I could clear up a couple questions that I have.
Oh, shizz. This was stunning, DK! Stunning. Sublime, spectacular. Scintilating, stirring. And words that aren't s words. This is just divine. I felt relaxed from the first few lines, as you outlined how we feel when we dip in water. then I was left pondering on your thoughtful and wise ruminations. Such an awesome entry, my friend. You should be very proud of this one.
Captivating imagery and thought-provoking ideas all wrapped in one. This was fantastic!