The summer solstice makes it officially summer. What’s more summery than the ocean? Following Kim Douillard on Instagram takes me to the Pacific Ocean. She lives near San Diego, California. During the school year, she teaches third grade. Her happy place is taking photos at the beach. On her blog, Thinking through my Lens, she writes poetry, shares writing lessons, and posts amazing photographs. Last night I saw this picture which totally took me to a new place. Let’s see if we can make this photo come more alive with poetry offerings. Join me in the comments by writing your own small poem.
How to be an Ocean Wave
Rise up with grit.
Margaret Simon, draft
Roar with spirit.
Open your heart and hands.
Make life grand!
Reflections on the Teche 
Love the command in your poem…so like the sea to command. We are to follow, fall in line, do as told. Yes, ma’am.
I’ve never been
to San Clemente
rowdy with waves
and sun
a western exit
off the Continent’s freeway.
But, this rush
and shush
from the click
of your lens
pulls me
as close
as I’ve been yet.
Great minds, Linda. We both played with “rush” and “shush” this morning. I love the line “rowdy with waves.”
I love how your poem takes us on a journey.
Love your comment about Margaret’s use of the imperative. I hadn’t thought of that. So funny!
“a western exit
off the Continent’s freeway”
and “rowdy with waves”
So much sass today, Linda. I love your poem.
Linda, a great poem. I especially love these lines “rowdy with waves and sun” and the second half of your poem “But, this rush” through to your ending line “as I’ve been yet.”
Such a positive and encouraging poem! “Open your heart and hands/Make life grand”
Good Morning
Listen to the shush,
the rushing-gushing shush
of the ocean’s morning call.
Wonderful sh-sounds!
ocean’s morning call…that’s a beautiful title
Rose, the quiet morning sh, sh, sh. I like that you put this into a time frame. Lovely.
Rose, you wrote a beautiful poem that sounds just like a wave!
Before I saw your title, Margaret, I wrote my poem. So we’ll call this
How To Be A Wave, II
Urge
Surge
Curl
Swirl
Paired nicely I must say!
Kinda neat how your poem and Margaret’s are on the same “wave”length!
Wonderful sounds!
Oh, it sounds lovely, Mary Lee. And we can see that wave action, as well, with these powerful words.
Marylee, great rhyming words for waves.
Thank you, Margaret, again for finding alovely photo, introducing me to Kim on Instagram, and for your poem. Your crisp verbs helped me find mine for this tanka.
Swell, breathe, spill, repeat
Summer solstice salty spray
Rhythmic, routine play
Sunshine kisses on sea brows
Cooling fresh on a hot day
Denise, I just noticed we both used the word kisses. Oh my, I love your Tanka. I especially love these images “Summer solstice salty spray” and “Sunshine kisses on sea brows.” Great alliteration, consonance, and rhyme. I don’t know why I forget about writing a Tanka.
Great rhymes!
Yes, great rhymes…and the word repeat is perfectly placed.
Ooh, I agree with Linda, I love the ocean commanding us, “Rise up with grit/Roar with spirit.” Great rhyme, rhythm and photo! I love and miss the ocean. Thank you for sharing this amazing photo, your poem, and inspiration. Here’s my draft:
SUMMER BLISS
sunset lights up
navy foamy waves
like sugar crystals
crashing, splashing,
caressing my skin
in sweet kisses
summer bliss
Gail Aldous June 24, 2021
Love “sugar crystals’ Nad “sweet kisses.” Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you, Margaret.
Gail, lovely draft about the ocean. I love how the waves caress and kiss you!
Love these lines:
“navy foamy waves
like sugar crystals
crashing, splashing,”
Denise, thank you so much! When I looked at the photo I saw ice crystals and I immediately thought sugar crystals. Are you back in the United States? I loved your poem on Ethical ELA! I have to go back to it, comment, and try writing one. Great idea and inspiration.
Thank you, Gail. I won’t go back to the U.S. until January, but there is a final date instead of the lingering, will we or won’t we feeling of the last year. 🙂 Do let me know if you write that poem! Thanks~
Thank you friends for your beautiful poetry that has me thinking about the ocean that I do so love. Each one of your poems is unique and inspired me to close my eyes and imagine me standing on the edge of the beach watching the ebb and flow of the tide. My poem can be found at https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2021/06/summering-2021.
june’s glistening spray
spritzes salty sea breezes,
exhales energy,
swishes diamond-dazzle drops
cooling summer’s sunsoaked rays
©CV, 2021, draft
Carol, I love your use of senses, alliteration, assonance, and consonance. So many sounds. I especially love these images “spritzes salty sea breezes” and
“swishes diamond-dazzle drops.”
Thanks, Gail for commenting. I had fun remembering what my sweet Atlantic Ocean beaches brought back to me.