For We Write Poems poetry prompt: Double Double Toil & Trouble
http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/
And also for Poets United Thursday Think Tank Prompt: Beach, Ocean http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-think-tank-54-beachocean.html#comments
Breakers At Midnight by Elizabeth Crawford
The Next Step
Hesitate.
Next step will alter
existence.
Far too fond
of the way
things are.
Change
causes ripples, waves,
breakers at midnight.
Never
strong swimmer,
struggle to stay afloat.
Know
with certainty,
long time experience,
waves
swiftly become tranquil
when passage is completed.
Sea of change
ever flowing
onto sandy shore.
Elizabeth Crawford 6/14/11
Process Notes: Per prompt instructions, grabbed past Sunday’s prompt from Sunday Scribblings for my theme (which became my title), then snatched words from Three Word Wednesday (alter, fond, tranquil). Then added another step. Have been putting up my digital art at http://claudetteellinger.wordpress.com/ on Tuesdays and having fun watching others respond to it. So married this image to the prompt, using its title in the poem as well. Really love it when things come together this smoothly.
Thank you Richard, for the prompt idea, and thank you Brenda for all the practice, lol.
Soul's Music 
Elizabeth, this is masterly. The image is gorgeous and the poem fits it perfectly. Could you lighten the background of your comment box? My old eyes have difficulty in reading what I’ve written (for typos)
Love,
ViV
Well I did change it, but this new background seems to have really altered the image. You are not the only one with old eyes, my friend. And I love my hawk sitting up there peering down at all of us. Thanks for stopping in and for the suggestion.
Elizabeth
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A strong and thoughtful piece. The use of metaphor is perfect.
Poets United
Thank you very much for taking the time to visit and read.
Elizabeth
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Wonderful piece!
Thanks so much Annell. Really like the tender tribute you created from this prompt.
Elizabeth
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You know how I feel about anything you write so I am commenting on the graphic which is stunning. I want it on the wall next to me where I can glance at it, or have it come into my vision on a chance. I want to be there [except it’s probably cold!]. Thank you for both the poem and the illustration, Elizabeth.
margo
Margo, I used to live very near the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and loved to go out there and just soak up the different emotional displays in all sorts of weather. That’s what this image reminded me of, and yes it was cold and I usually stayed in the car when the breakers were that high. Thanks so much for your appreciation. Am hoping to get to the post office, later today.
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, I love this one for so many reasons. I am captuired by the image of the Breakers at Midnight image – just stunningly beautiful. The theme of change is one I relate to right now, as you know. Like your poem, I have to swim through the choppy waves to get to the peace on the other side. I especially love “sea of change ever flowing onto sandy shore.” Just beautiful writing!
Thanks Sherry, and I loved your tribute to the sewers in your history. I like the image as well and was pleased at how it turned out. Never really know what to expect with the digital art. It’s amazing sometimes,
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, thank you. Such lovely steps you took. I love your take on change, and all the ripe meaning in “when passage is completed”. And the “Breakers at Midnight” artwork – beautiful!
Richard
Richard, I’m so glad you liked it. It came quite quickly and I am a bit put off when that happens. I was raised with the idea that anything of true value must take years of hard work to make happen. So, when it comes fast, or easy, my first response is one of distrust or just plain skepticism. Yet, some of my better pieces have been both fast and easy, lol. Go figure. Thanks for reading and commenting,
Elizabeth
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A lovely poem about the journey. So many wonderful lines in this, Elizabeth. I love how you chose, that particular image to go with the poem.
Pamela
Thank you Pamela, the images are coming quite qickly of late. Now all I have to do is find some time to write to them.
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, you’ve described the transition in the passage of change well. Changes happen. It’s like the clock, the time changes even though it’s so hard to see when the clock hands move.
Thanks Irene, I’m hearing a poem in your comment. Changes are always happening just as the hands on the clock never really stop moving.
Elizabeth
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Oh, I love this.
The artwork looks especially stunning on the dark background and what beautiful words to illustrate the stages in the process of change.
I especially loved….
“Change
causes ripples, waves,
breakers at midnight.”
A wonderful piece.
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Found this a fascinating, head-nodding read, Elizabeth. And then I pondered this… standing still, refusing to choose or move creates ripples of its own, alters waves in undeniable ways. Stepping… standing… choices…
Kim, you are so right. But, also is the idea that those waves can sweep you off your feet and take you out away from shore, rather than into it. Thanks for the different view and for sharing your thoughts,
Elizabeth
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Great thoughts on change. Loved the symbolism and the photo with the moon shinning thru the wave. Great total piece.
http://henryclemmonspoet.blogspot.com/2011/06/calloway-brown.html
Thank you very much Henry, I do like it when things come together.
Elizabeth
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Isn’t it great when posts make waves that join blogland oceans together? LOL
Yes, indeedy, Jinksy,
Elizabeth
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So true that all waves, even those which approach with a furor, eventually turn into a ripple as they flow onto a sandy shore… Moral for we humans: Everything eventually settles down!
Oh Mary, how very true, no matter the furor of the passing moment, it does all settled down and move on. Thanks for your thoughtful comments,
Elizabeth
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So true! Waves of change stop us from being inert.
Perhaps that is why water is a universal symbol for life itself, always moving and changing. Thanks for your visit,
Elizabeth
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Everything fits so nicely together.
“Sea of change”…love what this implies.
Well done!
Thanks Andy, change is ever with us in one form or another,
Elizabeth
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Life and it’s ever changing view from turmoil to calm; the ebb n’ flow of change is constant~
I love how you alter the imagery of the sea with the reflected thoughts of life; Well Done~
It is a great poem; it impacts the process of life~ xXx
Thank you Ella, change is the rule we all seem to want to ignore at times. But, it always manages to make us aware somehow.
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, I apologize for not commenting here earlier. Don’t know how I missed it. This is a wonderful comparison between the risks of change in one’s life and the changes of the sea. The fear of leaving the known for the unknown is again paralleled by the danger associated with the sea. A dynamic, beautiful poem.
Mike, no apologies necessary, I’ve fallen so far behind, I may never catch up. Thanks so much for your kind and very generous words. I’ll put the dynamic and beautiful in the kudo box,
Elizabeth
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