Shedding Light - Fifth Reflection: The Sea Bowl

Supporting vessel carrying life

Without and within

So many years in the making

Yet changing still

Shaped by the waters of life

Both nurturing and destructive

Slowly growing

Bit by bit, year after year

Reaching upwards

Towards the elusive light.

How many have noticed

Your uniqueness

Hidden in the sea

Among so many

Seemingly alike?

Would their attention

Make you worthier?

A universe unto yourself

Expanding and contracting

Solidly planted

Yet seemingly fluid

You are eternal.

Comments: 22

Mariana T. Mar 8, 2011, 8:14pm UTC

Sistah, first of all that absolutely fantabulous and gorgeous picture takes my breath away! I have to stare at it a while and then I'll read this ocean treasure. For some reason, I did not get notice that this was posted. I wonder if I've missed any others! Ok bbl. Salud

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Mariana T. Mar 8, 2011, 9:24pm UTC

So many years in the making

Yet changing still

Shaped by the waters of life

Sistah Sheryl, thank you for this beautiful post - I'm so glad you have used visions of your lovely trip to create this poem - truly a universe into herself - this is intriguing. Salud

M O. Mar 9, 2011, 8:35am UTC

Thanks, Mariana. This was the first dive trip using a new underwater digital camera, so many of the shots were tests using various flash/no-flash settings. The coral and wildlife were totally stunning and having digital, we took hundreds of shots. Many of the shallower dives were like walking through beautiful gardens (on steroids), with a great variety of corals and spounges, with many fish living in and among them. It was breathtaking.

Mariana T. Mar 9, 2011, 1:19pm UTC

Well, this particular shot is incredible. I have only snorkled and that was like living in a dream. I would love to go there and see all of that - it's on my bucket list! I'm wondering why the sistahs haven't gotten here yet but am thinking that since I didn't get a notice maybe they didn't either. However, I see it's posted to Shedding Light. I don't know what happened. Thanks again - I know that you feel refreshed and ready to go back! Salud

M O. Mar 10, 2011, 3:27pm UTC

I don't know about refreshed but I certainly am ready to go back! I'm still dealing with the 11 hr time difference. :)

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Granny Janny Mar 9, 2011, 1:57am UTC

Three readings convince me...this is poetry...and featured in Poet's Weekly Muse.

M O. Mar 9, 2011, 8:37am UTC

Thanks, Granny. I so appreciate your reading and comment, as well as the feature. :)

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lynn a. Mar 10, 2011, 2:01am UTC

M O., this is a feast for both the eyes and the mind. You've written a poem that is truly beautiful in words and thought.

M O. Mar 10, 2011, 8:22am UTC

Thank you, Lynn. I am glad that you liked it. I feel a strong connection to the water and all things living within it. I hope that came through in this exercise. The complexity and inter-dependence of ocean life continually amazes me.

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Kylee S. Mar 10, 2011, 3:22pm UTC

Beautiful!! And the picture is incredibly clear!!

M O. Mar 10, 2011, 3:26pm UTC

New digital underwater camera. My husband and I took hundreds of shots, some of which came out half-decent. :)

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Barbary Chaapel Mar 10, 2011, 3:47pm UTC

Amazing colors - I just love this shot. I see sometimes these shapes and colors on a forest floor, too, bright fungi, fox fire.

And what a lovely thought this is:

"Reaching upwards

Towards the elusive light."

Seems we are all the same in life and you have fully captured that.

M O. Mar 10, 2011, 6:45pm UTC

Thanks, Barbary. We love camping and hiking and I, too, am always astounded by the shapes and colors in the forest. And as you noticed, very similar to the ones found in the ocean.

Our last dive of our vacation was on a very shallow guri - we stayed towards the top in about 20 feet of water and spent about an hour there. It was just like an English garden at the height of bloom - all the different corals & spounges, in all shapes and colors, sparkling in the sun shining down through the shallow water. Fish of all shapes and sizes darted in and out among the coral - it was the most splendid garden I had ever been in.

Mariana T. Mar 10, 2011, 10:29pm UTC

I could stare at those pictures you posted for hours - will comment soon - they are mesmerizing - especially this - yes, an ocean garden - love it! Salud

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