By the Sea (Part Two)

I return to the bay,

today of all days,

and find the sea busy about its work.

The lives of man are so short,

it hardly notices their comings and goings.

I'm struck by its faithfulness

to stay within the Lord's set boundaries.

Not for it is rebellion and clamor.

It will keep to its duties,

and look askance at those lingering on the shore,

still looking for meaning and purpose,

in the lands of cut short dreams and unseen opportunities.

Does the sea reflect the sky, or the sky the sea?

Do they take it in turns depending on how their moods take them,

glowering sky casting red doubt on the ocean,

or stormy rough cut sea spray flung into the sky?

Creation knows its place.

Not so much the ascent of man,

or is it descent into more confusion

than when we took that first wrong turn.

The jumbled jigsaw of smooth grey stones don't comment.

They have better things to do than wrestle with existential mind meanderings.

Solid, immovable, until the spring high tide 

jostles them to a new neighborhood of the beach,

and they settle again waiting for the next round of awkward introductions,

and painfully shy small talk from those particular pebbles,

who still feel they should make some effort to connect.

The largest boulders remain steadfast and silent,

having learnt many ages ago that you should stay quiet

if you do not have anything significant to say.

So the tide turns,

and as I prepare to go from the bay,

I feel the sea does speak to me,

but with words I am unable to share with you.

By the Sea

The skim stone smallness of the estuary,

boats bobbing to the water music,

gulls crying falsetto minor keys,

and a child pitched voice cutting the quiet.

I could live by the sea in my dreams,

and eat lemon sorbet

to the tune of the repetitive tide.

I watch you swim out beyond the point,

and wish my braver self could join you,

in the sea covered tangle of seaweed and grey stone.

There is a thought that passes between us,

but does not land to form memory.

Bits and bobs

and to be fair

these are only phrases

used without context.

I like the afternoon sea

which is relaxing in its accomplishment

of the day.

It has nothing else to prove except

to sweep the beach clean ready

for the fresh tomorrow.

Is it because we are made of water

that we feel so at peace

here wrapped in our mother's womb

from our conception.

Be Still

Just be still

and sit with Me,

in your mad dash world
of pressing projects
and exciting events.

Take a moment
to be still in the storm
that overtakes you now.

It was fine weather
when you woke.

Breathe out,

and remember

to breathe in again,

slowly.

Your mind is whirling
and swirling
and skimming
and sliding.

Be still and know
that I haven't given up
on this blue green globe,

and all those who rush
to and fro on the face of it.

Fear is your counsellor,
anxiety your lord.

Let love displace them both.

Let Me show you
a way so wonderful,
you will wonder why
it has taken you
so long
to be
still.