As I stand by the side of the sea
Watching the breakers that pound on the shore
Looking at the melee of waves and tides
I wonder if we can ever tame its waters
Or silence its rising tumult
The sea, some times is at peace, but it’s only a truce
Like the sea, within us is a never ending conflict
Beneath the whirls and tides, are also pearls unseen
Is not there a parallel between man and the sea
Both a cosmos in themselves so impenetrable,
Giving us visions of things unseen
Beating with a thrilling pulse
And moving with no desire to halt
With an insatiable longing to possess
As under the clamorous surface of the sea, mysteries sleep
What all secrets in the hidden chambers of our heart we keep
As no one knows an ocean’s reach and sinuous strength
None on earth can fathom the depths of human heart
In a wild unrest when my mind churns
How I wish if I could put down all my cares
Also my conflicts into noiseless sleep
To withdraw into a state of long respite and placid calm
Soon I learn, such motion and commotion
Are the inevitable signs of life within!
As long as the heart keeps pulsating
We cannot quell the rumpus inside
Movement is always a sign of life
And stillness, we know is akin to death
Sea has the power to turn anyone coming in it's proximity into a philosopher. No wonder, the sea side broodings too are dipped in philosophy of life. There are lot of qualitative similarities in an ocean and a human heart(mind) since both are impenetrable and hide lot of secrets. Movement is no doubt a sign of life and the quelling of rumpus of thoughts etc inside a mind is very difficult. Great Confucius, in one of his gem of teachings, has asked his disciples to strive for creating complete vacuum in mind on daily basis at least for half an hour for maintaining peace, harmony and realization of life. This is very difficult, he had said, but can be attained through penance. Thanks for sharing a beautiful, thought provoking poem. Be always blessed.10 ++
It is so nice and wonderful to see a similarity between the tumultuous and placid waters of sea and the human nature. Thanks for an amazing and lively portrayal, Valsa ji. Is not there a parallel between man and the sea Movement is always a sign of life And stillness, we know is akin to death
Thank you Rajnish sir for reading a series of my sea poems and making your beautiful observationss on them.
The waves of emotions that are in constant motion inside a man are so nicely compared with the sea.And that commotion and conflicts are but part of life and sign of life.Stillness is akin to death.The poem is so lively and so beautiful !
It's a correct observation in relating our life with that of a sea where lot of features and habits relates each other.Very aptly you picked up the examples of similarities between two. Thanks for sharing your valued views in this lovely penning.
A very reflective poem. Being by sea and watching it with its immensity is such an marvelous feeling with in itself. We do live by rising and falling waves of emotions and yes silence is like death though Mystics tell us otherwise......but for us sea waves present the truth of life. Lovely poem. Thanks for sharing.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
'In a wild unrest when my mind churns How I wish if I could put down all my cares Also my conflicts into noiseless sleep To withdraw into a state of long respite and placid calm Soon I learn, such motion and commotion Are the inevitable signs of life within! ' I remembered a number of texts mostly by playwrights while reading this poem. Singe's 'Riders to the Sea' and Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' (the soliloquy by Jacques) ... What struck me was how the poem talks about 'internal conflicts' in the human psyche - 'no conflict, no drama' - that's how Shaw puts it, and to take it with Shakespeare the world is a 'stage' and we are just 'players', who may 'strut and fret' and then never be 'heard anymore', but the voices are always 'polyphonic' - multiple... I loved this poem for the use of the metaphor of the sea.. A beautifully crafted poem on this 'conflict' that still has a 'calmness' to it... Thank you ma'am for sharing this.. It is beautiful.. Just beautiful...
Thank you Souren for your analytical comment and relating my poem to the works of the stalwarts of literature!
It's always a pleasure to read your poems ma'am.. I just hope Synge would forgive me for spelling his name wrong!