My poem Between the Islands of the Pacific was first published in June Quadrant magazine with poems by Les Murray, Barbara Fisher, Craig Kurtz, Geoff Page, Dan Guenther, Gabriel Fitzmaurice and Graeme Hetherington. Big thank you to Literary Editor, Les Murray.
Between the Islands of the Pacific
Because by now we know everything is not so blue
out here.
The cities had tipped rubbish into the sea,
and we let them without even noticing.
Not even feeling our breathing clear
as gusts reaching ten knots cleaned up our days.
Not even. Today pure blue sky, blue sea,
out there the horizon drawing a line
below the clouds, the absoluteness of it. Nights
of diesel engines shuddering beneath us.
We lounge on chairs side by side on the deck.
At dusk, we stand at the railing of the ship as the sun
slips into the ocean. In the fresh sea air, their backs turned,
some raise a selfie-stick or light a cigarette while others
stand holding their breath.
Where can we go from here, and how?
Copyright © Libby Sommer 2018
It was earlier in the year when I went on a cruise, and your vivid description of the horizon is superb
“Today pure blue sky, blue sea,
out there the horizon drawing a line
below the clouds, the absoluteness of it’
I found the endless horizon and vastness of the sea, to be awe inspiring. I too wrote a few poems while I was out there, but I struggled for the right words.
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i’m glad you read and appreciated my poem Ivor. you had asked me previously where you could read one of my poems. keep those words coming. Libby
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I’ve not travelled much, and for the voyage was a thrill, I’ll attach a couple of poems, if that’s ok.
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/circumference/
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/eleven-shades-of-ocean-sunrises/
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I feel that. I have difficulty being that person.
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yes Jacqui. hard to be that person. good to know you read the poem 🙂
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Wonderful!
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i’m so pleased you read the poem Jennie. many thanks.
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You are welcome!
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