Lessons from the Ocean

Jennifer Walker 1979 (Virginia)

January 23 
Ode


The waves are high, they crash along the shore
I don’t dare go in – I’ve been there before
But something draws me on, I head into the sea
Until I come tumbling down as a wave crashes over me
I get back up and try anew
Then the waves overcome me through and through
Yet, I must get up, I must move on
Get deeper where the waves are calm
I get where my feet barely touch the sand
I  relax, I  swim, the feeling is so grand
But then a big one comes from behind
Knocks me down and messes with my mind
I get back up, the waves are calm again
At least until another comes with the wind
They don’t come as often as they did close to shore
I’ll be okay if I keep getting up, just as I did before.

About this poem

I wrote this poem based on an actual experience swimming in the ocean. It reminds me that in life, it's often difficult when we first start something new, but if we keep at it and keep practicing, it gets easier and can be fun.

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Written on January 27, 2023

Submitted by jennifer.walker02 on January 27, 2023

Modified on May 02, 2023

43 sec read
73

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABBCCDEFFGGHGAA
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 698
Words 146
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 16

Jennifer Walker

I am an enginner who grew up in the suburbs of Virginia. I love making music, any type of hand crafting projects, and writing poetry. more…

All Jennifer Walker poems | Jennifer Walker Books

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Discuss the poem Lessons from the Ocean with the community...

2 Comments
  • normanstewart1957
    This is poem material
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • FLi
    I admire how the simple essence of perseverance was conveyed in such an artistic way.
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Lessons from the Ocean" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/150601/lessons-from-the-ocean>.

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