Beautiful. As I stand on the shore, I feel the wind and the tides and time and I see the creatures small and great in the pulse of something far beyond this moment in the wet sand on the shore, for I am carried into the heavens to think of things eternal and forever and yet so very near, as the water and the waves mingle all that I perceive into a fabric or a song or a simple wonder that makes my heart just a little bigger than before. This is what I see.
Oh no, the crabs are crying! I want to comfort them. This is another great poem. I can imagine what the source page was describing, but you elevated it to something more magical.
“The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:10, 12, 14
I attended a “Tre Ore” (the three hours) service yesterday; one of our deacons, in his 80s reflected on the “7 last words” of Christ on the cross, specifically, “it is finished.”
Jesus had done the will of his Father, his life was purpose filled and intentional. In the same way, the apostle Paul commented, he had “fought the good fight” and “finished the race.” Or, as my high school basketball coach commented in his pregame talk, “guys, don’t hold anything back, leave it all on the court.”
For me, your erasure brings to mind these themes of both the brevity and yet fullness of life. There are many blessings, but all pass too quickly…
There’s something about the way the lines break down in the second half that I really liked. It feels more stripped and exposed, like the poem is letting go of structure in the same way it’s talking about letting go of things. It made the images land a little harder for me, especially “castles disappear / windswept” and “the sunlight crashed with mighty force.”
This is so beautiful!!!
Thank you <333
One of my favorite erasure poems as well. It captures something delicate without giving it a name. Sending prayers to the sand crab 🙏
I felt vulnerable while reading it. It was beautiful.
Thank you so much Edward.
Beautiful! I can feel the wind on my face as sea foam tickles my toes.
Beautiful. As I stand on the shore, I feel the wind and the tides and time and I see the creatures small and great in the pulse of something far beyond this moment in the wet sand on the shore, for I am carried into the heavens to think of things eternal and forever and yet so very near, as the water and the waves mingle all that I perceive into a fabric or a song or a simple wonder that makes my heart just a little bigger than before. This is what I see.
Oh no, the crabs are crying! I want to comfort them. This is another great poem. I can imagine what the source page was describing, but you elevated it to something more magical.
Your erasure poems most certainly are some of the more unique creations I see here on substack
Keep up the good work
thank you
“…nor call it back.”
This reminds me of Ps 90:
“The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:10, 12, 14
I attended a “Tre Ore” (the three hours) service yesterday; one of our deacons, in his 80s reflected on the “7 last words” of Christ on the cross, specifically, “it is finished.”
Jesus had done the will of his Father, his life was purpose filled and intentional. In the same way, the apostle Paul commented, he had “fought the good fight” and “finished the race.” Or, as my high school basketball coach commented in his pregame talk, “guys, don’t hold anything back, leave it all on the court.”
For me, your erasure brings to mind these themes of both the brevity and yet fullness of life. There are many blessings, but all pass too quickly…
I absolutely love this Mandy. 🥰
Thank you. I love you Grammy.
Whew the second stanza breaks my heart.
This made me emotional for reasons I can't even name. You were so right to follow your erasure with this sonnet. Both pieces marry so beautifully.
There’s something about the way the lines break down in the second half that I really liked. It feels more stripped and exposed, like the poem is letting go of structure in the same way it’s talking about letting go of things. It made the images land a little harder for me, especially “castles disappear / windswept” and “the sunlight crashed with mighty force.”
'As children cry to hands that will not stay...
i love this, and the idea of kingdoms of seashells swept away by His hand.
I like this