TO SEE THE SEA
I’ve never seen the ocean
but I know it’s fierce and wide
and governed by the moon’s tide.
I’ve never smelled the seaweed,
never touched a gold starfish
though I wish and wish and wish.
I’ve seen the photos, read books
with pictures, heard a seashell
sing a song and cast a spell.
Someday I’ll see the ocean,
feel wet sand between my toes,
see where the green sea grass grows.
Someday, I’ll taste the bright salt
flavor of the waves. I’ll say,
“Delicious!” Someday. Someday.
© 2016 Julie Larios. All rights reserved.
Jane Yolen has challenged us to write a septercet that features reading or writing this month. What is a septercet? Click HERE for more details.
Post your poem on our September 2016 padlet. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, September 30th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her fabulous new collection of science poetry:
Such a gorgeous poem, Julie! It shows so beautifully how books can open new worlds for children. What would we do without them?
ReplyDeleteSo true, Michelle!
DeleteThanks, Michelle - I had fun with that form (so thanks, too, to Jane Yolen!) Hope you get more responses from other readers - I always look forward to reading how other people respond to a challenge with forms.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if this is about your own experience the oceanic so wonderful and peaceful I haven gone
ReplyDeletethere for many years but I love walking through the waves I love that you wrought about traveling there by reading if you haven't got to really see the ocean I hope you get to some day
Jessica, I grew up close to the Pacific Ocean and still live near it - my family and I spend lots of time walking the beach and playing in the saltwater. But when I was in college, I had a roommate from the midwest who had never seen the ocean, and I was shocked by that possibility. Never seen the ocean? The idea has always stayed with me, and so I tried to imagine - in this poem - what it would be like to have only read books about it.
DeleteSo lovely. The flow of you words is very natural.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David!
DeleteThis is really a lovely poem. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a treat to respond to a challenge like Michelle's (and Jane Yolen's) and work with a new form for the first time!
DeleteDelightful, Julie! I wish you time in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! I'm headed for the ocean (Atlantic, this time!) in a couple of weeks.
DeleteSo pretty, Julie. I love imagining someone reciting this, imagining what they've read in their books.
ReplyDeleteYou would have to have a good imagination, wouldn't you, to hear the waves and understand how powerful the are. It's the ROAR of the waves that always amazes me....maybe because sound is awfully hard to convey in writing.....?
DeleteLove this! Very well done, Julie.
ReplyDeleteThose of us with the sea at the back door can take it for granted - lovely reminder to appreciate what others yearn to see!
ReplyDeleteI know that for me, it would be the equivalent of reading Willa Cather's descriptions of the American prairies - which I've never seen! Books would help me visualize them, but how about the sound of wind over them, and the smell in the air in a hot day...? Right?
DeleteAnother beautiful poem by Julie, who never ever ever disappoints! I live by the sea, yet this poem made me long for it still. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnd someday, Renee,- someday! - I'm going to see that sea of yours!
DeleteLove!
ReplyDeleteWhen you're here, Kathy, maybe we can go walk in the saltwater!
DeleteJulie, this makes me want to grab my hubby tonite & be away to the coast.
ReplyDeleteVery evocative.
My advice: Grab him and go!
Delete