Friday, August 3, 2012

Encompassing


Forget true north
Truly too cold
Head south, wade in
Tropically toasted seas
Balance that little
Disk with needle tilting
In your palm
Outstretched towards the horizon
When the sun and sky conspire
To paint the world pink
Let your lashes kiss your cheeks
Breathe in the simmering stillness
Release the compass,
When you hear it splash
Listen to the dot-dot-dash of your heart
It's the only instrument you need

This is for the compass prompt at Poets United poetry blogroll.blogspot.com

30 comments:

  1. This is very positive and has a great flow to it, outstanding! Have you read Ollie's yet? Similar theme but totally different approach, that's why I love these prompts, take care.

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    1. Thank to very much for coming by and for your wonderful compliment!
      I did read Ollie's and liked that take on it as well. You're right, I love reading what everyone does with these prompts:-)

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  2. I like your idea.. :) Good flow.

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    1. Thank you very much. When writing about the sea the words seem to flow :-)

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  3. Lovely imagery, Sara.

    You're right, the only compass we need is our heart. Funny how it sometimes takes us in the wrong direction though, isn't it. Maybe we should, as you say, 'listen' instead of just acting on where we 'think' or 'want' it to lead us.

    Nice poem.

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    1. Paul, thank you so much for stopping by, and for your thoughtful compliment! My heart has been a good compass when I listen, like you said, trying to think it gets me in trouble :-)

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  4. I'm with you all the way on this one. We live in Atlantic Canada and it gets wayyyyy too cold with too much snow and ice for me in the winter months.
    Lovely poem :)

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    1. Wow, all the way from Canada! The snow does have its merits, I've just lived too long in the warmth, can't do cold anymore :-)
      Always nice to see you here, thank you for the compliment and conversation :-)

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  5. Nicely put.

    (But I should add that, living in southern Australia, heading north has more appeal for me. Especially today, mid winter.)

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    1. That is fantastic! All the way from Australia, to visit :-) Thank you for keeping me in the right perspective. Hope you get to go North soon.

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  6. Lovely poem Sara! I love the line, "Listen to the dot-dot-dash of your heart". Very moving.

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    1. Thank you Veronica, I was trying to make it more interesting than "beat"
      Thought Morse code would be fun:-)

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  7. Hiya Sara,

    DUE SOUTH
    sounds a better option.
    How I loved that series.
    Although, not too far south or we reach the cold and frost again.
    Maybe shimmering stillness would suit me a little better than simmering though :-), temperaturewise.

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    1. Hi Aprille! Thank you so much for your comments. I love your words and your art:-) I like that idea of shimmering stillness, good point. I was going for the heat emphasis, however shimmering would have played well with the sunset theme. Much appreciated.

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  8. Some fine imagery here and some good story telling. Like the use of metaphor at the end. In totla, a fine and enjoyable write.

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    1. Thank you Dave, really enjoyed your poem as well. Nice to see you here again.

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    1. Thank you! Always nice to see you visit :-)

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  10. Oh, Oh, OH! This:
    "When you hear it splash
    Listen to the dot-dot-dash of your heart
    It's the only instrument you need"

    Perfect, perfect.

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    1. Thank you De!! I was definitely thinking of you when I was writing this. Really appreciate your support and inspiration :-)

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  11. Listen to the dot-dot-dash of your heart
    It's the only instrument you need...i like...surely the right "instrument" to show the way...

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    1. Hi Claudia! Nice to see you again--glad you enjoyed my heart direction. Thank you for the lovely compliment.

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  12. Sara, the first two lines said it all: "Forget true north, head south..." Your own heart is the best compass, and each of us is born with one, along with a barometer than resides in our gut, warning us away from bad weather. Loved how you used the compass prompt, Sara, very nice work. Peace, Amy

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    1. Amy, thank you so much for your wonderful compliment, I love how you took the south internally, I hadn't thought of that, you always have great insight.

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  13. Wonderful use of language and of that prompt.

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    1. Thank you Mad, looking forward to participating in the limerick off this week :-)

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  14. What a beautiful, magical moment! I'm near the ocean. I just need a compass to drop in. :)

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    1. Yes, and that part of the world does have a beautiful ocean, for gazing at sunsets, and listening to your heart. Sometimes the way it pounds I feel like it has its own heartbeat :-)

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Your words are wonderful! Thanks for popping in--I'll be over in a snap!