
It feels like I can see forever,
yet my mind’s eye can’t sail
past the horizon;
stuck on that imaginary line
where what’s to come meets what has been,
where things are to be settled,
people to be seen,
obligations to be fulfilled.
My intentions are as vast as the ocean
but my vessel is an ancient rowboat,
and the directions I’m given steer me
straight into the cliffs along the bay.
*
Directions it seems I’ve given myself.
BREATHE.
Soak in the salt air.
Let my thoughts dance
to the song of the seabird.
*
Thinking of nothing yet wanting
to let everything go.
Shaking ideas and obligations from my mind,
letting them fly.
Holding tight to those I catch
in the net of my soul,
while the unnecessary splash into the sea
to be pulverized by the rolling waves
beating on the rocks below
*
I hear a voice call my name
*
It jolts me, and I realize
that I’ve lost time but gained space,
that I’ve seen truth
but have been blind to the lies front of me,
that I care for little
but am in want of more.
*
Lost
in the echo of the rolling waves
Found
in the mournful cries of seabirds
*
Loving that I can feel the silence.
Hating the emptiness it brings.
Holding on to the whole of nothing.
Watching shards of everything slip away
*
But I tell myself that I’m okay.
*
Sated in the reality of at once
being lost
in serenity
and found
in chaos.
-----
About the Creator
Cathy holmes
Canadian family girl with a recently discovered love for writing. Other loves include animals and sports.
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
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Original narrative & well developed characters
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The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Writing reflected the title & theme




Comments (30)
Beautiful work, Cathy, and congratulations on placing in Gabriel's challenge. Your poem encourages the reader to allow a moment for pause. Personally, a timely piece. Thank you!
That idea of the sea and horizon really captures that lost-ish feeling, I think.
So beautiful and relatable, Cathy! Congrats on placing in Gabriel's challenge! 🎉
I like the mood you have created here. It feels like something I could easily step into. Congratulations!
Much of this is very relatable Cathy. I love how you have captured these feelings. This is one I missed from you but am glad to read it now. Congrats on your placement! 😊
Well done placing in the challenge 🤗👍🏼.
Back to say congratulations on placing in the challenge! Richly deserved!
Wow...this one is one of your finest!! I stopped and re-read all through this to feel it and then feel more...especially this part," It jolts me, and I realize that I’ve lost time but gained space, that I’ve seen truth but have been blind to the lies front of me, that I care for little but am in want of more."
Intriguing poem of contrasts, like: “Loving that I can feel the silence. Hating the emptiness it brings. Holding on to the whole of nothing. Watching shards of everything slip away”💖
Such an inspirational poem!
Excellent poetry as always, my talented friend 💙 Parts of this felt so freeing and cleansing. Wonderful, wonderful work!
I love the idea of the sea washing your soul clean, and how you've framed this as definitely not a gentle process. Pulverising is a great word!
Such layered dichotomies in this! Fantastic work, Cathy! I was especially struck by “Loving that I can feel the silence. Hating the emptiness it brings.” Very relatable tension!
Great stuff. The sea is so inspiring. You made me think.
A wonderful entry for this challenge! The stanza “it jolts…want more” is really making me reflect
Wonderful job Cathy! 💖
wow buddy! this was beautiful, love all the cotrasts and the sea theme! great image too! masterwork!
"that I’ve lost time but gained space," "yet my mind’s eye can’t sail" "My intentions are as vast as the ocean but my vessel is an ancient rowboat," These are some of my favourite lines! Loved your poem!
I’ve lost time but gained space - oh I love that. Feel like we could all do with a bit of that right now. Fab, Cathy.
This is so, so lovely, Cathy! You've been a hero of mine on this site ever since I joined - and this piece is a perfect reminder of why. :) Positively chuffed that you would submit something for a poetry contest of mine!
Fantastic work girl. I love these words : Holding tight to those I catch in the net of my soul
Now this is a great entry Love this line that I’ve lost time but gained space, Very moving Cathy
Oh, this is so beautiful, Cathy 💗
Fantastic ✍️♦️♦️♦️♦️
Well-wrought! Sometimes it seems we float, rudderless, and sometimes the wind seems to speak our name as it pushes us ahead. You caught the ebb and flow of consciousness here so well. Superb!