I have often walked an ocean beach in the early morning when the tide stretches forever to the west in an endless sweep of sand. Cathy’s poem, “MINUS TIDE” reflects on the feelings created on just such a morning.
Tim Olson
MINUS TIDE
I walk the beach alone at dawn,
a minus tide goes out for miles.
The sand lies barren, raw, exposed,
I know exactly how it feels.
It seems we’ve both lost everything,
only the taste of salt remains.
Ancient people used to kill
a virgin at the winter solstice
to bargain with a fading sun,
so would I sacrifice my soul
to turn back my own low tide,
to undo what has been done.
When the sea goes out this far,
Deep-water truths become revealed.
Shells I’ve never seen before
glisten in the sand,
their broken halves facing up
like open palms,
pleading with the sky.
To read Cathy’s previously published poem – click here
Cathy, you’ve captured so well how it feels to be alone at the edge of the sea, feeling exposed to the mysteries “out there”, vulnerable, and yet open to the possibilities that lie beyond. Thank you for this beautifully evocative poem.
Beautiful! I love this!