Shoreline #3

I see you.
Recognise the shattered remnants
of protective shells cast aside,
See paltry mountains rise and fall
overwhelming you as you slide,
Note the sculpted trail of contours
formed by paths you’ve tried,
Burrowing deep beneath the layers
silently you hide.
But I see you.

Shoreline#2

Beneath the sand of Swansea Bay is a layer of blue clay. Twenty five years ago it was barely visible - I recall a field trip as part of my civil engineering degree where we all donned wellies and trekked across the sand to dig holes and study the stuff. Nowadays it lies exposed in lumps moved along the shoreline.

Lifted from your bed of slumber,
you embrace the change.
Smoothly moulded
by the movement
of the rolling waves.
But tides do turn
and shunned by sea
you return to shore.
Tumbling slowly over land,
unwittingly exposed.
Embedded here
remains the debris
of your journey’s end.
Sands will shift
and you will rest
hidden from sight once more.

Shoreline #1

I have always found the coast fascinating. Memories of geography field trips and family holidays to the southern coast of England where over the years I observed the power of the sea eroding the land, as rocks crumbled and the paths I walked on as a toddler sank beneath the waves. Then I moved to south Wales and observed a different set of processes, the sand shifting around the bay causing dunes to rise up one end while exposing bedrock and clay at the other. And an awareness of the increasing battle between nature and mankind as bulldozers regularly redistribute the sand back along the beach, and the sea deposits along the beach the rubbish we have let pollute it.

I walk along the shore almost daily. Often my eyes are drawn to the open expanse of sea, and it inspires me. However, this week I decided to challenge myself to write a number of short poems that focus more on the shore itself. This is the first.

Along this boundary
between fluid movement
and solid ground
you will find the scattered pieces
of what was
and what will be.
Hope
and heartache
lie exposed
by ever changing tides
as man and nature
draw their battle lines.

Held

As the global pandemic continues, I am aware of the widely differing thoughts, opinions and approaches that surround me; news reports and analysis all seem to contradict and, at times, I find myself unsure which way to turn as I question what is true, and how best to protect those I care about. It is easy to end up feeling alone in trying to make sense of it all.

Last weekend I was reminded of a poem I wrote for the Presence Project on the theme of Protection. It was based on Proverbs 4v6:
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you."

It was good to be reminded, once again, that I am not alone and I don't need to rely on my wisdom to get through this. I am held and supported - by friends, family, and by the One who is above all. So I am putting this here today (along with a cute picture of my puppy because that always helps!) in case you too need reminding that you are not alone.

In arms secure we are cradled
Nurtured here with hidden strength
Whispered through the fearful night
Mother’s words
our comfort.

Stepping out we seek our own paths
Weighty teachings laid aside
Deaf, we turn to walk away
Forgetting,
we are exposed.

Wandering lost through desert lands
Until enfolded in your shadow
Experience and insight entwined
Father’s truth
our shelter.

Drawn together in shafts of light
Illuminating the darkest corners
Watching over one another
Brother’s wisdom
our protection.