How to calm the sea

by silvershoes   Sep 12, 2016


She carries with her oceans;
salty waves that when left alone,
build and crash against her cheekbones,
and you may find her running to you,
arms outstretched as if silently screaming, I need to be held.
The most you can do in that moment is fill her need.
Hold her; hold her tightly so her legs won't erode beneath her;
hold her; hold her tightly so giant heaves won't diminish her.
She doesn't know why it hurts still, so don't ask,
but please repeat two words in your bravest voice:

I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.

If you say them enough while she's bundled,
the oceans will recede and she'll stave one more day for
drowning.

    report violation
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Latest Comments

  • 5 years ago

    by prasanna

    Coming back to read this, because I love this poem so much :)

  • 8 years ago

    by mossgirl19

    Breathtaking yet again! The imagery is really great!

  • 9 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Judging Comment

    Whenever Jane writes of the sea or ocean I know its going to be highlighted.. She has such a powerful connection to the powerful aura of water and this was beautiful...

    to bring comfort and or need comfort... just an elegant poem!!

  • 9 years ago

    by BlueJay

    Judging Comment:

    The imagery in this piece is overwhelming, but so is the idea of drowning, so I enjoy how the piece began with such urgency. The feelings here jump off of the page without having to be expressed word for word, which is a nice touch, especially when presented in such a unique style as this piece. Everything about this heartrending piece hit the nail on the head this week.

  • 9 years ago

    by ether

    I am so, so late with this comment. I don't know how I missed reading this in the first place but my reading on this website is sporadic.

    Anyway, just today I was thinking about what calms me when I'm in such a state. Only one significant other has known exactly what to do without having to be prompted or told. The mood washed over me and I don't think he was prepared for it, but he did exactly what you penned in this piece. Held me by my arms, looked in to my eyes and made me focus on his. Bringing you back to the present space and time that the anxiety attack/depression takes from you. So I was thinking about that all day, and then saw that you were online and decided to read some of your work. I sure am glad I did. This is so perfect, I felt like I was witnessing myself back when I was in the aforementioned scenario. It painted a sorrowful but so very relatable scene in my head and I feel better knowing someone else has felt and been through the exact same notions as me.

    So I thank you, and I'm glad I didn't read this before today. I think I was meant to find it now, when I needed it.

    Wishing you internal peace, and hoping you post again soon xo

    (sorry for the rant)

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