Estuary thoughts

· by · in free verse, poetry. ·

What matters can be more (or both)
than what’s black or white,
or even words
that fit in single tweets.

There are hollows in the shallow
depression, depths more measured in
caesuras than in updates of your profile.

It’s like asking if it’s twigs or leaves
that makes a forest —- or if a mountain
can be named before it’s found.

Yes, sea consists of water
but it’s also kelp and cod,
and in the estuary silt meets salt;

So why believe that truth is simple?
that it’s free from pain.
‘cause every choice you make
requires sacrifice.

Estuary III by John Miller

Estuary III by John Miller

Brendan asks us to look for depth in shallowness at toads. I’m not sure this meets the challenge, but at least it’s what I thought when reading his prompt.
—
July 9, 2016

43 responses to “Estuary thoughts”

  1. A discerning swim here to better though not easier solutions. It’s the task we ever write toward. I really liked the fourth stanza. (By the way, I don’t think the link you put in at Real Toads works, it has an extra https:/ in it)

  2. So much wisdom here.

    “There are hollows in the shallow depression, depths more measured in”

    I think it’s probably prudent for one to endeavor to become more measured, in all the ways I can imagine stretching “measured.”

  3. silt/salt is such a wonderful combination of words–I think every choice does involve a kind of pain, a kind of sacrifice–agh–very hard at times. Thanks. k.

  7. More excellence Bjorn.
    It’s like asking if it’s twigs or leaves
    that makes a forest —- or if a mountain
    can be named before it’s found. – that and the ending stuck out to me. Intelligent writing, asking questions.

  8. “in the estuary silt meets salt;” Yes, so much more and it ISN’T easy – and the truth must begin with “me” and letting go of what I “know” and be willing to step out and LISTEN to others. Excellent –

  9. Your closing stanza really hits your point home. Wonderful, Bjorn. I love the image of the salt meeting the silt in the estuary. And I love “it’s like asking if it’s twigs or leaves that make a forest”. Wonderful!

  10. I think it was a great way of addressing the prompt, and I like the way you brought it all to that pointed conclusion.

  12. if a mountain can be named before it’s found.. deep thoughts Bjorn…this one especially… it’s probably what we look for..we know its name, but the search just goes on and on.. the truth is complex yes!

  15. I think it meets the challenge and then some – the second verse grabbed me – we can jot a line on social media but it’s not us – all of us..we are in the gaps..treading water or swimming..but all with a need to reach out..reach the sea.. such questions you raise which also seem linked to your photos at the pantry – they seem to have a light quality that requires a degree of introspection

  16. depths more measured in
    caesuras than in updates of your profile…

    This is such an excellent commentary for the present times.. I really like where this prompt took you, Bjorn.

  17. I love the title(and the metaphor it introduces) where there is a confluence of two very different elements which are nonetheless so similar that one can be forgiven for thinking they are the same–and hen they mingle, and are the same, basically. So our distraction becomes our indifference, and vice versa, and the shallow overrides the deep current which loses its way in the silt. Or so I read.

  18. so much depth to your estuary! even more stark in this age of ‘too much information Man’

  19. Sobering thought but true: Every choice requires a sacrifice. Or, as my dad used to say: “Life is a series of tradeoffs.”

  21. luv your end lines particularly and wish to add a dutch proverb
    “He that has a choice has trouble. ”

    Good Sunday to you

    much love…

  26. Pain and its avoidance–truth and its avoidance–or not–This made me pause a bit this morning Bjorn! Nice write!

  28. I have to tell you, Bjorn…your words really do go deep here…of course as a nature lover your content reaches my heart but its your delivery and meaning that really rock this poem. Thank you.

    I LOVE this:

    “It’s like asking if it’s twigs or leaves
    that makes a forest —- or if a mountain
    can be named before it’s found.”

    And all of it, too…one of your best in my humble opinion.

  35. Lots to think about when reading this. In the end the cost of the sacrifice must be weighed. Three choices, a, b, or c., i.e. left, right, or center where center is straight ahead without making a cognizant choice. But still a choice, perhaps a crash, perhaps not, or maybe death, stay married, have a child, go to Hell, ad infinitum.
    ..

    • When reading the poem I was reminded of some of the lines in Janis Joplin’s song, “Me & Bobby McGee.” The went:
      “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose,
      Nothing don’t mean nothing honey if it ain’t free, now now.      .”
      ..

  38. I think there’s tremendous depth in your poem. It seriously calls for us to inspect what truth is in all its complexities. Very good writing Bjorn.

  40. I love these lines – they are so true:
    ‘There are hollows in the shallow
    depression, depths more measured in
    caesuras than in updates of your profile.’

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