Community

Sea

My heavy body walks slowly
I see the sea before I see
Anybody I love an early dawny
Before the light invites me up
A surge of energy my internal clock
Knowing each rock that will show
The tide line pull
Reminding me let go

I can’t dip and think or drink
Present observant I see the sea
Bright green seaweed sticks to me
Can you sea the sea?
Are we there yet?

You can’t go and regret
Prefer a sunrise to a sunset
A day not met
I ingest fresh droplets
I choose to protect this time 
Where, not telling, come find
Me where the water meets the sand
If you no then you know our land

Rain or shine I’m getting wet
You can’t see my body in the sea
I’m doing it for me
No selfy go pro’s no no
It’s early doors on the low low
Let go go keep going and going
Floating, arms dip in rotating
Legs wakening mindfully escaping
Unavailable flight mode without needing one

Cause my home is a holiday destination
No news feeds
Can breathe deep like seaweed
Tread shallowly 
It’s too early
When knowbody needs me
This is how it’s meant to be

You know this fellow swimmingly’ s 
Maybe just maybe
Well find each other tidally
Solo for soulfully
Grouped for socially
Coldness for mentally
The sea will wholly
Hold each of us unconditionally
Unpredictably her vast depths
A reminder us humans only scratch the surface

I scramble back up the tufts
Of reeds which weave the sand 
View this land sunken barren
Uniquely carved vast span

Salt hits my lips I am
Here a small spec a droplet
A river meeting the sea
A sacred place of history
Can you sea the sea?
Are we there yet?

Oh playful youthful adventure
Life’s cycles forever venture

For the Poetry Privy Project

A Poem For Panel

Ask me another question there could never be enough
Ask me another question I’m filling up
Ask me another question unpack my emotional stuff
Ask me another question you’ll unpack your belongings
Ask me another question you have every right probing
Ask me another question as much as you need keep going
Ask me another question you have every right knowing
Ask me another question our hearts, minds are open
Ask me another question yes we will cope and keep coping
Ask me another question yes you may be broke and keep breaking
Ask me another question please take and keep taking
Ask me another question or curl up shut
Ask me another question I agree you’d be silly to quickly trust
Ask me another question you’ve learned to survive, may arrive frozen
Ask me another question in comparison I get to dip my toes in
Ask me another question point out my self-denial
Ask me another question your whole life’s been filed
Ask me another question yes you’re only a child
Ask me another question please question our love,
Ask me another question inside I’m doubled up
Ask me another question I’d talk you through every cut
Ask me another question I will open my door as much
Ask me another question I will open your door a touch
Ask me another question tell me when enough is enough
Ask me another question don’t mention what you don’t want to
Ask me another question my intention is to share our home with you

Surf GIRL MAG (LINK HERE)

Surf–In

Early bird catches the worm. Pink skies.

Sun pops up and a deer runs by.

I’ve already picked where I’m heading.

In winter in minus numbers already dressed in

rubber, this is it: this time’s mine.

Pre-work / life / drama I sip my first coffee. Divine.

I drive up not knowing what I’ll see.

The sea, yes, but is it pumping? Could it be?

It’s the wonder of not knowing. Has the swell hit?

The lines rip, positioning in the moment. Bliss.

That’s it – I’m going in.

Keys hid – board slid – heart drumming – running – making the sand’s first prints.

Present – smelling seaweed – sensed unconsciously – before I think – it’s only me here.

I want one other soul.

One fellow surfer to share this big blue hole.

Sea spray hits the waves, eyes squinting to see.

Is this, could this, be the one for me?

I instantly don’t hear much. I brush the oily water.

My body paints – dips – pivots – paddles – and curves. Arms under – knees through – up and riding.

Memories of competitions: blues up and riding.

My coloured vest, breath barely circulating.

Weak body, full mind, and the waves helping.

Mother Nature’s watery hug, each droplet, I’m aware

I’m meant to be in the sea. I’m somewhere.

There’s no social conformity,

mid-conversations can be left.

When there’s a wave on your radar, we surfers accept needs met with a need to protect.

It’s assumed women can’t surf. Men drop in.

(I’ve also had this from plenty of women)

The water’s busier than it’s ever been.

Webcams – mobile phones – surf schools – and

future Olympians half hoping to be seen not surf.

Lockdown lit up Cornwall,

the new A30 dug up the final earth.

To the moon and back to make room for every van used to just come for Run To The Sun.

Poldark overran.

Pitch up, and block off the view with their pop-top,

Whilst second home-owners

forever expand their plot.

It’s likely most have been empty every winter –

until Covid.

How funny. Now they’ve realised Cornwall’s lovely!

In Porthtowan, a local hit the news

for graffiti-ing a holiday home

which has since been painted over

like their offshore tax loan.

House your locals before you rip half the cliffs down

for one privileged rich cat

who rewrit the system

and upholds the crown.

I’m sick of our economy divide and our de-forestry.

Housing crisis, rise of house prices

and a forever dividing community.

Ring-fenced puppetry protecting the elite.

Homeless figures rise

like prised fish in a fished-out sea.

So where does that leave me and surfing?

Knowing the unwanted waves

that have caused dispersing,

I flew to you for warm temperatures

and world-class peaks. My global imprint

knowing your shores you may never leave.

That’s privilege and choice,

my voice can be noted

Whilst a boat tries to float its passengers

won’t be toted.

Surfing centres my world, mindfully offering

daily happiness and freedom.

The best part of every day,

and for me, life’s main reason.

Sea

My heavy body walks slowly

I see the sea before I see

Anybody I love an early dawny

Before the light invites me up

A surge of energy my internal clock

Knowing each rock that will show

The tide line pull

Reminding me let go

I can’t dip and think or drink

Present observant I see the sea

Bright green seaweed sticks to me

Can you sea the sea?

Are we there yet?

You can’t go and regret

Prefer a sunrise to a sunset

A day not met

I ingest fresh droplets

I choose to protect this time 

Where, not telling, come find

Me where the water meets the sand

If you no then you know our land

Rain or shine I’m getting wet

You can’t see my body in the sea

I’m doing it for me

No selfy go pro’s no no

It’s early doors on the low low

Let go go keep going and going

Floating, arms dip in rotating

Legs wakening mindfully escaping

Unavailable flight mode without needing one

Cause my home is a holiday destination

No news feeds

Can breathe deep like seaweed

Tread shallowly  

It’s too early

When knowbody needs me

This is how it’s meant to be

You know this fellow swimmingly’ s 

Maybe just maybe

Well find each other tidally

Solo for soulfully

Grouped for socially

Coldness for mentally

The sea will wholly

Hold each of us unconditionally

Unpredictably her vast depths

A reminder us humans only scratch the surface

I scramble back up the tufts

Of reeds which weave the sand  

View this land sunken barren

Uniquely carved vast span

Salt hits my lips I am

Here a small spec a droplet

A river meeting the sea

A sacred place of history

Can you sea the sea?

Are we there yet?

Oh playful youthful adventure

Life’s cycles forever venture

Item descriptionEx Covid

Digging deep whilst our most unwell sleep

Tracing, remembering why you choose this profession

Your salary frozen yet all those in need you still treat

Founded in 1948 glued with red tape

Clink, mop, change the sheets bleep bleep bleep

Bright white lights, shift rotations you make

The NHS is similarly becoming a war hero's equivalent

The privatisation's meant buying back your own beds

Funny it takes a pandemic to get you a listen

You dig deep knowing why you do this, dreaming of sleep

You frontline key workers serve us, at 8 pm we clapped

As drops of sweat ran down your back

And your bus drives on, knowing the virus may attack

Holding the hands of those with no one is a wordless act

Thank you you you you you each of you

You remind people of their dignity when they can’t feel it

At sunrise, sunset not met somehow you pull through

Your breath breathes life, allowing this so I can write.