The Edge of Being
She flirted with the ocean
Standing on the rocks
Daring it to dress her
With its beauty
Take her completely
Into its arms
And hold her down
Until she could breathe
No more
She teased and begged
For the attention
Wishing to surrender
To its power
Her lover not receptive
On this dark broody night
The velvet sky pushed
Back the curtain of clouds
And the wind halted
The angry ocean
Slowed its breath
And whispered softly
To her
Do not tempt me anymore
I will not take you this night
You are using me
To dull your pain
I will wash it away
So you may live another day
Christine Bolton – Poetry for Healing ©
In response to DVerse Poets Bjorn’s Metaphor Challenge
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Clouds hlding back curtain of night; winds halting angry ocean … nice metaphors.
Thanks Bev. I’m happy you liked it! 🙂
Yikes! Love how this demonstrates the larger wisdom of the natural world – underscoring we cannot command it.
Thanks Christine. Yes it’s too big and powerful to mess with it! 🙂 I’m happy you liked it 💕
I love the way the metaphor of the ocean can work in more ways than one… there is always something threatening and risk of drowning too…
Yes! It’s mighty strength can heal and harm 🙂 Thanks Bjorn
I apologise for not being able to read all your poems, Christine, but I am glad I got to this one.
Thank you so much! I never expect anyone to read all of them. I just have the need to write them 🙂
The ocean is our eternal source. We are drawn to it as the great mother and healer. Nicely done.
Thank you! I really appreciate it 🙂
Ocean of Birth
Ocean of Death
Ocean
HoMe
Within to Be..:)
Lovely…thanks for sharing 🙂
The opening line “She flirted with the ocean” is powerful and sets the tone – playfully ominous strike for a subtle antithesis of mood. 💜 it! Last 6 lines could be a wonderful stand alone poem, but it would lose some of its kind sonorous gravitas if it were separated from her flirtatious suicidality and sorrow.
Thank you Lona! I really appreciate it. The poem flowed quickly and I let it be. I’m just happy you liked it 🙂
🙂
Depression often causes the urge to flirt with the ocean. I like the sound of hope at the end!
Thank you! I appreciate it 🙂
love your title! your reference to the ocean really resonates with me, we want that all encompassing feeling of being held like liquid beauty and just drown, but the ocean like life has its own time table and tide. so beautifully written
Thank you Gina. Nature can protect us if we allow it to 🙂
you are welcome Chrstine, that is very true, and we must stop to listen.
This is so beautiful Christine! Sometimes nature seems to understand us better.
I rerally believe it does. Thank you my friend 🙂
You are kindly welcome, my dear! 🙂
I love the idea of flirting with the ocean, Christine, and the personification of the ocean, being cruel to be kind.
Thank you Kim. You’re so kind. I appreciate it 🙂
Striking poetry. Your ocean is a symbol of universe. Love it!
Thanks Sadje! 🙂💕 I’m happy you liked it
My pleasure.
Love the way you described and personified the ocean here!
Thank you Jade! 🙂
I like the conversational tone and wisdom of the ocean.
Thanks Lynn. I’m happy you liked it 🙂
Love this
Love this, Christine. The ocean as Being speaking to her and washing her pain away.❤️
Aww, thank you Jordy 💕🙂
Love the ocean metaphor and the healing it can bring:
I will wash it away
So you may live another day
Thank you Grace 🙂 I’m so pleased you liked it
so beautiful. i love the idea of a sentient ocean and communicating with it
Thank you my friend. I’m so happy you liked it. 🙂
Nice last six lines especially these by the ocean: “Do not tempt me anymore
I will not take you this night”
Thank you Frank 🙂