Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Watching Water


There is something
calming about watching
water with its algae-emerald
cast and so clear that
you see clusters of
dogpaddling turtles
circling each other with
no particular purpose
except to circle, then
gliding off in search of
new meanders; catfish
so large they look like
those prehistoric fish
netted up by
Japanese whalers; and
flows of wind sheening
across the surface
like silver knives.


Poem composed 10/2/10 on the balcony of the Great Room at Laity Lodge, near Kerrville, Texas. Submitted for One Shot Wednesday at One Stop Poetry.

Photograph: The Frio River, taken from the Circuit Bluff Trail, Laity Lodge, courtesy of my cell phone.

41 comments:

katdish said...

Ah, thanks for this. Felt like I was sitting there looking out at the same beautiful scene. Of course, I was throwing rocks into the water, but I've had too many low carb monsters today.

Unknown said...

Beautiful...

dustus said...

You have a great way with words, Glynn. Enjoyed the flow of the descriptions. Cool photo too.

Michael said...

Glynn, you are like my writing mentor. You truly inspire me. Thank you.

Timoteo said...

Nature in all its wondrous beauty...the last line sings!

L.L. Barkat said...

I like the prehistoric fish. :)

KB said...

I too love watching water, especially the ocean.

Kodjo Deynoo said...

Poems simple refreshing nice

Desert Rose said...

too beautiful..flowing with the peaceful feeling of the well captured scene..:)

Marcus Goodyear said...

I like the turtles whose purpose is to circle, the prehistoric fish, and the waves like knives.

I regret that we never went canoeing together!

Ben Langhinrichs said...

How can I resist a poem that offers up "dogpaddling turtles"? I can't. Nice!

Caribbean Fool said...

Enjoyable use of metaphor. Very cool poem.

crb.

Lisa notes... said...

I can picture it now... Thanks for the word picture.

Maureen said...

"...flows of wind sheening/...like silver knives": What a marvelous image!

Anonymous said...

turtles and fishes ... super like that :)) You drew a good image here !

Brian Miller said...

nice. i like the contrast between the serenity and the knives in the end...great one shot!

Monkey Man said...

To close ones eyes and see the image through words is the ultimate compliment I can give to a writer. Your words draw that picture. Here is my contribution to One Shot this week - The Touch.

Laura said...

I could have watched those turtles all day. Thanks for this snapshot, Glynn. I think I'll keep it with me.

Linda said...

There is something magical about water, and you've certainly captured that Glynn. The sights, the sounds - so peaceful.

Shashidhar Sharma said...

Glyn you have captured the depths of the water so well that I almost scuba dived in it with your words.. thanks for sharing..

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com

Jerry said...

Yes. Water. Love the last line. I'll be looking for the silver knives the next time wind is over the water.

Beachanny said...

We know the same waters. Your images as clear as the sealife you describe stand as powerful metaphors. Well written. Thank you, Gay @beachanny

Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

Your silver knives... cut me right through.
This, Glynn... this.

Anonymous said...

Splendid imagery...a joy to visualize...outstanding.

Cheers!

Unknown said...

fabulous , Glynn

Anonymous said...

A serene reflection. Thank you :O)

Bubba said...

Nothing like an interesting view to inspire one's words.

Nice One Shot, Glynn!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Beautiful, both poem and photograph. Love the image of the turtles circling........very lovely.

Khakjaan Wessington said...

I liked this, but the first line was flawed. You need to find a different way to open the incantation.

Marshy said...

i was pulled from the start....a great write glynn and loved the photo too...hope all is well my friend, cheers pete

* said...

Great imagery, especially the close,

"flows of wind sheening
across the surface
like silver knives."

Lovely Annie said...

I find water to be so calming and you invited me in to the depths of my own peaceful place through your words and image! Fab one shot!

SuziCate said...

flows of wind sheening
across the surface
like silver knives - just lovely and completes it.

Steve Isaak said...

Solid on the visual front, relatable; familiar but well-written.

Anonymous said...

your right it is veary calming usually i go into daydream :)
great oneshot!!!!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Love the poem, Glynn.

Anonymous said...

Loved the word flow so much..great oneshot my friend xx

Wild Rose said...

Peaceful read and beautiful all round Glynn.

gautami tripathy said...

Tapestry of words..

ecstasies

Me said...

So peaceful, so restful. Nice One Shot!
-C

Anonymous said...

good
woohooooo!