Trades from the East speak to me,
Bending without mercy
Silver Thatch palms
Outside my kitchen door.
On this tempest Sunday
I’ll blade into resolute winds,
To remind myself that I can,
And I do.
Zephyrs whisper in my ear,
“Dig deep, find strength”,
My legs embrace the challenge,
And I fly.
Potent power strides
Expressions of fine will summoned
Propel me headlong into windy defiance
I am that.
Sapped but stoked nevertheless,
Mission accomplished
She nudges me homeward bound
Soft hands upon my back.
To my left a robin egg sky
Demarcates to a cobalt sea horizon
Where rhapsodies of liquid thunder roll ceaselessly to shore,
Surrendering into muted foam.
To my right, eye numbing feast of Poinciana
Dapples this Caribbean canvas delight,
Tangerine blazes dissolve into
Verdant casuarina forests.
And when life places before me
Challenges to face and hurdles to surmount,
I will prevail with all the substance I can muster,
Because I can.
Author notes
While living in Cayman I used to live in South Sound and go blading down the road along the water. On days when the trade winds out of the East were very strong the resistance could be daunting, so a steady mental resolve and physical stamina was the order of the day. This always left me feeling victorious and enabled with precious lessons on “how to dig deep”. I have these memories stored away for those days when I need to be reminded of my inner strength. Now back in Edmonton I blade along the North Saskatchewan River where the winds also can be intimidating some days, and once again the opportunity arises for me to dig deep because I can.
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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a good poem penned, something that doesn't really happen here in england, i have never seen anyone blading along the roads here, people on bikes yes, but never anyone on rollerblades.
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Your memories are vivid. The colors used to describe your scenes and convey feeling are evidence of this. Great job. I enjoyed the poem.
Mike
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richly evocative, strengthening and positive
I love the positivity of this poem, the reality and the metaphor, and the strength of the final stanza, you paint the picture of the colours, and play the sounds, and then underline the battle with the statement of quiet resolution. Very 'you', I thnk...
Sheona -
Yes, of all people I know, you most defiantely can :-)
I especially loved; "My legs embrace the challenge,
And I fly. "
Very uplifting piece, nicely done as always,
Enjoyed it,
~ Wendy
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Ah Henri!
We share the same sentiments: I love the wind and its challenges ... Its loving testing of my abilities; the resistence of its power surges and its forceful restrain ...!
When we stayed at Herold's Bay, a beautiful, secluded coastal town about 20 min. drive from where I am now -- George, South Africa -- I used to sprint into the wind, watching the seagulls, ruffled above me, enjoying with me the mists and the winds and the wondrous enchore of the sea! And then the return: flying, as light as a feather, with the wind playfully helping me along!
Thank you for your agile words. It took me straight into this new day, with zest and with eagerness.
Blessed be, my friend.
Myra
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This is powerful and packed full of wisdom. It is amazing, this power of the human spirit, and what we can overcome with faith and a strong will. The belief in ourselves, or lack of it, can be so powerful either way. This poem speaks of great positivity and I feel very inspired by your words here. Nice write! Thanks for the inspiration. Blessings, Patty
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wonderful
You always inspire me to dig deeper into my own
strength. The Caymens have always been a muse for
you haven't they? Sounds like a beautiful place.
This winter was very much a challenge for me..
amazing what survivors we can be. Nice to see
your words again my friend.
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Trade winds...Soul searching from the memories past. Can create a solice, from within. One does not have to be there, to remind themselves of what was. Nice penning. ~Sie
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And some say the winds of life don't make us stronger!! I liked the metaphor for inner-strength and resilience that you've applied here, Henri. And I like the confidence of "because I can". I personally believe in the development of inner-strength myself too; your note about "how to dig deeper" compliments one of my own approaches to life: it's not the what, but always, always the "how". I liked this, and somehow you words resonated with me today - well done!
~ Nicolette
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