the boat rolls back
the ores row back
taking one more thing away
each stride in reverse
he pulls
nothing has been said
every breath a forsaken word
a protest to the loud
silent pain
there is no one to hear
he shouts
all he sees is her
she is not there
he cannot touch her
he’ll never hear her
he sits
he slides back to the caves
floating over the beating waves
he lays back and lets go
far gone the beach line
he drifts
the sky is blue
the water is blue
he is alive
the boat rolls back
Kate Lunsford 
Kate, I am touched by your poem. From reading it I picture a journey in letting go of grief, of loss, of pain. After all of that rowing, he changes course,
“floating over the beating waves
he lays back and lets go
far gone the beach line
he drifts”
Thank you for visiting my site so that I could connect with your words today.
Ali
LikeLike
Hi Ali, Thank you for your comment. Yes, that is exactly the notion of the poem, sometimes the process of grief can’t be mastered with words, but we try. I have been enjoying your blog so very much and am grateful for the connection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kate
One of the things I love about poetry is it can express a feeling that is challenging to put into words. I felt so much from this poem. Thank you.
LikeLike
I love the rhythm, like strokes of a rowboat, when I read the poem aloud.
LikeLike
Hi Priscilla, Thank you for sharing your insight on the poem. It is greatly appreciated, and I am so glad to hear it was rhythmic to ears other than my own. I hope to post audio readings of my poems soon!
LikeLike
Beautiful poem, Kate.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for commenting. I love visiting your site. The haiku, poetry, and photos are so inspiring.
LikeLike
Very nicely done! Sounds like the story of our life… two strokes forward and one back!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Kate!
I have nominated your blog for the Awesome Blogger Award.
More about this nomination is at
https://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/awesome-blogger-award-thank-you-thebibliophilewriter/
LikeLike
This reminds me of “let go; let God”. Sometimes our power is not enough. We can find peace when letting go….
LikeLike