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Essence of Soul

Missing image
The sea which does exist
in that land far away
does behold my soul, owner of all
from that which I am made
My heartbeat, its waves, do sustain my all
carrying my life of saudade, to that caravel I belong

The essence of its air, is the sustenance I partake
feeding my being with bittersweet pain
a happiness which I will never mistake
for in it I am at peace
knowing that from which I came

To the sea of Portugal
I will return forever
again and again...

Author notes

My soul belongs to the sea of Portugal...

SAUDADE:

Saudade (singular) or saudades (plural) pronounced sawdade in Galician, is a Galician and Portuguese word for a feeling of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which is lost. It often carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might really never return.

The famous saudade of the Portuguese is a vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist, for something other than the present, a turning towards the past or towards the future; not an active discontent or poignant sadness but an indolent dreaming wistfulness.

Saudade is different from nostalgia; in nostalgia (a word that also exists in Portuguese), one has a mixed happy and sad feeling, a memory of happiness but a sadness for its impossible return and sole existence in the past. Saudade is like nostalgia but with the hope that what is being longed for might return, even if that return is unlikely or so distant in the future to be almost of no consequence to the present.

One might make a strong analogy with nostalgia as a feeling one has for a loved one who has died and saudade as a feeling one has for a loved one who has disappeared or is simply currently absent. Nostalgia is located in the past and is somewhat conformist while saudade is very present, anguishing, anxious and extends into the future.

For instance, the phrases "Tenho saudades de você" (literally, "I have saudade' for you" ) and "Eu sinto sua falta" (I feel your absence) would each be translated into English as "I miss you" — both "falta" and "saudade" are translated as "missing." However, these two statements carry very different sentiments in Portuguese.

The first sentence is never told to anyone in person, but the second can be. For example, The first would be said to someone who has been away for sometime, it would be said over the phone or written in a letter. The second would be said by someone who has divorced, or whose partner is not usually at home, and would be said personally.

Some say that the ultimate form of saudade is one felt towards people and things whose whereabouts are unknown in regards to any of the following things or circumstances:

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 26 of 26

  • forbidden-colour
    August 10

    Edit | Reply
    Obviously a lovely setting and place, this was interesting to read, a country I havent yet visited.
    Thank you for entering.
    Sophie


  • The Fun House silver member
    July 21

    Edit | Reply
    I've never been to Portugal but I can imagine the sea and it seems to have the same allure no matter where you go. This is a very lovely piece you've created here and I enjoyed reliving the images in my mind.


  • Fritz O skennick gold member
    July 21

    Edit | Reply

    Awesome Sis...

    Soft, heartfelt narrative, smooth rhymth & gentle flow with wonderful imagery & depth that makes for an enthralling read & captivates throughout...
    Keep up the good work...
    Well done!!!


  • cookie-monster
    July 16
    Edit | Reply
    yes


  • rainbows. gold member
    July 15
    Edit | Reply
    Yes.


  • August Starlight silver member
    July 15
    Edit | Reply
    yes.
    and I usually do not like sea-related poetry.


  • Cyanide Dreams
    July 15

    Edit | Reply
    Yes, but cautiously so.

    I felt this to be a bit rushed. However, the emotions to the particularly area instead of some person or animal is great. I liked the way this was portrayed so beautifully. I think with more imagery and more elaboration this would soar to the top. Great job and thanks for entering.

    josh


  • LittleMoon silver member
    July 13
    Edit | Reply
    This is hauntingly beautiful, gold surely. Sheila


    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 14
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so much dear one for your vote, your confidence, and sharing this with me! It means more than you know. Love and Light, Dixie


  • Knight70 silver member
    July 8

    Edit | Reply

    I am rooting for this to get the gold.

    I absolutely loved many of the sea poems in this contest, but this is my favorite. I have a deep rapport with the sea, and always will. I can see that you have your own bond with the sea. When I was in the U.S. Navy, I found myself captivated by the sea in dozens of ports. The closest I have been to Portugal is Malaga, Spain.

    Thank you for the author notes. It's really helpful to get translations from another language, and it helps the reader get so much more out of what's been written. I found myself transported by this poem into a place of true serenity. Bravo!

    Don

    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 14
      Edit | Reply
      THANK YOU SO MUCH!! TRULY, FOR I AM HUMBLED BY YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENT. You were pretty close to Portugal!! In some areas they are twins, well they came from the same family many moons ago! The sea in both places, is so alive and wonderful, full of soul.....its good to know I"m not the only one who feels that way! And I'm so happy you read the AN, thank you! Its a word that fits my heart so well...I am wishing you my friend a most blessed peaceful day!

      Love and Light
      Dixie

      • Knight70 silver member
        July 15
        Edit | Reply

        You are quite welcome, Dixie.

        I've seen some photos of Portugal. It's beautiful. I would have loved to visit there. The Navy was such a great experience for me. Those are memories I will always hold close to my heart.

        Don

        P.S. I'm having a lot of trouble with my computer lately with viruses, but I'll try to comment on your work whenever I can. Hopefully, it won't freeze on me before I post this.


  • poeticweaver gold member
    July 7

    Edit | Reply
    I adore this piece, you just brought me there.
    Thanks for sharing your sweet soul. Peace.

    Peace.


  • DolceVito gold member
    July 7

    Edit | Reply
    Outstanding poetry, superb rhyme and flow...loved the AN as well...a winner in my book. Beautifully done

    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 7
      Edit | Reply
      Your always so good to me my dear friend! Thank you so much, for the pleasure of your uplifting comments, today, it was so much needed! Your still the best! Love, Dixie


  • Andre ben-YEHU
    July 6

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent...


    "Essence of Soul" pays its dues to the rules. All lines are linked to this great poem.

    I was impressed with lines five and six:

    "My heartbeat, its waves, do sustain my all
    carrying my life of saudade, to that caravel I belong"

    I had to research the word "SAUDADE", the fift word on line six; and, thanks to WIKIPEDIA, the free encyclopedia, I compiled these:

    "Saudade was once described as "the love that remains" or "the love that stays" after someone is gone. Saudade is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places or events that once brought excitement, pleasure, well-being, which now triggers the senses and makes one live again."

    "For all effects, saudade is quite similar to nostalgia; (a word that also exists in Portuguese).

    Origins
    The word saudade was used in the Cancioneiro da Ajuda (13th-century), Cancioneiro da Vaticana and by poets of the time of by King Denis of Portugal."

    "SAUDADE is also said to be the most discussed word of all the European languages."

    Much gratitude to the author of "Essence of Soul" for this magnificent poetic banquet.

    In respect and admiration,

    Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 6

      Edit | Reply
      I am much impressed that you took the time to look up the word Saudade...I thought I would leave it and see what happened I believe you have an old soul, full of such feeling, for you have felt what I write, not just on this one but my others as well....I am honored that you grace my pages with your thoughts, thank you so much, truly. Love and Light always, Dixie


  • Fallen-Thumper
    July 6

    Edit | Reply

    beautiful

    wow! This is beautiful and really well written. This is brilliant and i really loved it. A great written piece and an excellent read. Amazing!


  • Cherrylv
    July 6

    Edit | Reply
    A lovely poem truly reflecting in every way the bond you feel with the sea of Portugal. I have never been there but I feel the same way about another sea
    Cherry


  • MolliPaige silver member
    July 6

    Edit | Reply
    Beautiful--emits a heartfelt personal meaning.
    The last stanza of course brings it all together and breathes...
    I'm glad to have come across this.
    Thanks for sharing.
    M


  • awannabepoet
    July 6

    Edit | Reply
    I thought I recnogized some portoguese in your homepage and well behold here it is.

    What a wonderful country, my cousin married a portugese woman and we visit her ancestral home close to the beach at Povo de Varzim, needless to say it was an echanting place.

    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 6
      Edit | Reply
      I spent a month in Lisbon Last year with family, the entire country is just amazingly beautiful! I'm returning in September and can hardly wait! Thank you for recognizing the Portuguese and for your wonderful comment! Love and Light always, Dixie

    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 6
      Edit | Reply
      I have family, my best friend, "twin' in Lisbon, I spent a month there last year, I wish I could stay there! Portugal is an amazing country, full of history and romance, a poets dream! I am returning in September and can't wait!! Thank you so much for reading! And for your lovely comment...love and light always, Dixie


  • An Old Codger gold member
    July 6
    Edit | Reply

    Beautiful

    Absolutely stunning piece here. Best of luck in the contest.


    • Dixie Dawn gold member
      July 6
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so!! I do so appreciate your thoughts! More than I can say! Hope you have the best day...Dixie

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