poemranker ::Forest by the Sea by Dovina

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Free verse № 144947

Forest by the Sea

by Dovina

Member since 2004 · Posted 2 Aug 2006 · Edited 3 Aug 2006 · 6 comments

On a sunny summer Sunday free from gale or doldrum, a forest moors beside the sea, of mast and spar and rope, Almost all with motors and capable of sail, tethered to their docks, they bob on rising tide. Sometimes, with canvas coiled, one backs into an aisle, turns toward the seawall— a skipper’s cap on anxious head. He senses southwest onshore, sets a southward tack, cuts the noisy motor, turns about to miss the jetty. He sways beside the tiller, feels the water’s grace, tightens jib and mainsail, conforms to wind and wave. The other seamen mow the lawn or fight with wife and kids. . . or sit depressed and watch TV, or contemplate their options. their small-craft squeak within the slips, pull tethered on this glorious day; for status’ sake they join the forest and serve as choices earned.

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mean 7.40 weighted 5.29 rank 3733 views 253 View voting details →

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6 comments

[9] Enkidu 3-Aug-06/12:56 PM Reply
Not bad, the last verse could be a little stronger, but i like the idea a lot.
[9] amanda_dcosta 6-Aug-06/9:40 AM Reply
I like the accidental rhymes. It keeps the tempo going. and the idea of the poem is good too.
[9] deleted user 6-Aug-06/5:01 PM Reply
I like this alot Dovina--the rhythm, the imagery. It starts out well, and as far as i'm concerned the last two stanzas really bring it home.
[10] ALChemy 7-Aug-06/4:51 AM Reply
This really captures the feel of wasted potential with the images of the crewless ships tethered. Like Rodin's Thinker in that way. This is pure poetry.
[n/a] Dovina › ALChemy 7-Aug-06/5:52 AM Reply
Rodin sculpted a man sitting, thinking, which I would not have thought related to a boat tethered to its dock on a fine day for sailing. But maybe we think too much, while real mariners are out on the water. I like that comparison. Thanks for the comment.
[10] ALChemy › Dovina 7-Aug-06/6:10 AM Reply
The thinker was originally a part of a theme piece called the gates of hell. He sits at the top of the doorway and represents a man with unlimited creative potential but limited ability. He's the thinker because he is unable to be the doer. Both your poem and the thinker represent great potential that is being kept back by something.