Conversations in the sand
We sat there at the base of the dunes
Gazing at the stars, and moon
Listening to the ocean play its tune along the shore line
Wondering where life would take us
Life was invigorating as we walked and talked
Heals and toes etching conversations along the sand
Life’s verses washed away with the sands of time
But held for a lifetime in our memories and hearts
We returned to the beach many times over the years
Growing together more and more
Sun sets, moon risings, pier walks
Crabbing together and feeding the crew
Raising offspring from diapers
To swimsuits to aquatic beings
Splashing in the wonder of the wet world
We grew and yet we stayed the same
As time moved on and service pulled
And we pulled away from service
Each venturing from existing understanding
And into realities not yet understood
Growing more in self
While footprints of togetherness
Were washed from the beaches we shared
Slowly we drifted
As the tide pulled out
Searching for our own prizes
Focused on shells at foot
We found ourselves in two different tide pools
Time has found it hard
Time has found it good
Discoveries of self, found in sunsets
Sunrises, sand dollars
And yet, turning to share
You were not to be found
Joy in discoveries
Met with tears of being without
The tide has come in
The time has gone out
The tide back out
The time back in
And now, once again
I see the tide coming in
The effect on aquatic life a question
The current still pulls my feet toward you
And you, beauty in the distance
Our tide pools connecting
Will we again join our walks
Heals and toes etching conversations in the sand
Stephen Kellogg – 2011
Stephen Kellogg
Stephen Kellogg's Blog 
Absolutely beautiful, Stephen. How often we drift apart over time. It is a shame we cannot manage to stop time long enough to ensure we don’t rush off and away, but not really our “way” it seems. Hope this sand traveler, tide watcher meets up with his other once again. Thank you for sharing……..
Leslie,
Thank you for continued and encouraging comments. Sometimes I agree with wishing to stop time long enough, but other times I realize that separation helps some people to heal and grow. It’s a tough “way” but sometimes it seems for the best. Whether a permanent separation or the two paths merge into one again depends on the hearts involved. Thanks again, your comments are truly appreciated!
Peace,
Stephen
I have criss crossed my previous spouse’s path time and again and we always get along so well. We have found that place to be and respect one another, sharing our children and Grandchildren together and apart and gift again at Birthdays and Christmas. Family get togethers include the both of us. We are so fortunate. I love him for his differences as well as for those things that we share alike. I think he feels the same. I wish others were able to find this place, too. It is so rare.
Leslie,
Thanks for sharing. I find myself in the same situation as what you just described. It is rare, a lot of people don’t understand why we don’t get back together because we “get along so well.” There is a love that will always be there and I think that’s hard for some to understand. I’m glad for what we had and for what we currently share. I hear the horror stories of others and cringe for those people and then thank God that I’m not in the same boat.
Peace,
Stephen
Beautifully written. Nice flow and thought provoking. You got me with this line:
While footprints of togetherness
Were washed from the beaches we shared
Slowly we drifted
Well said. Great Poem.
Ms Lvh,
Thanks so much for the kind words and feedback on my poem. I hope you’re able to spend a little time here wandering through some of the other poems and such that I’ve written. I’ve been out of the WordPress world for about a month but I enjoyed reading the interview of you on
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-of-poet-california-ink-in-motion.html
and perusing your blog. I’ll head back over there in the next few days to look around some more.
Thanks again!
Peace,
Stephen
I found all but the first stanza to be thoroughly immersive here Stephen,
I could feel the poet speakers emotions without them being expressed in words.
Best wishes.
Talia,
Thanks for the feedback. Do you know what it is about the first stanza that didn’t grab you? Was it to much rhyme for this type of poem? Not an image that grabbed you? Thanks again for feedback!!
Peace,
Stephen
Stephen, I think it’s because the first stanza feels out of place and a tad cliched. Whereas, the other stanza’s gel well. Sometimes, in the editing process, I will cut stanzas from my own work and find the poem works better when read aloud.
Talia,
Thanks for the feedback! It’s much appreciated 🙂 I often go back through and remove words, rearrange etc.
From a straight poem standpoint I understand why you would say that… Since it’s based on something that actually happened I feel compelled to leave it in there but I really appreciate you speaking up.
Peace,
Stephen
Yes I understand the reticence Stephen, I often feel like that about my writing. Recently I had to axe about the first 100 words of a long poem I had written-end it result, it reads better, but I will keep both versions.
Best regards
Talia.
Beautiful poem!
Rathnashikamani,
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Peace,
Stephen