‘Comfort’ and Other Poetry of the Sea by Catherine Lee

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Comfort

I gaze upon the endless sea
against high cliffs, on golden sand—
her everlasting majesty.

Through ages rolling wild and grand,
oblivious to time and space,
against high cliffs, on golden sand.

Her every mood my cares erase—
there’s healing in each surge and flow,
oblivious to time and space.

So when in doubt, to her I go
to liberate my heart from pain.
There’s healing in each surge and flow.

With all else lost, she will remain—
her constant symmetry and might
to liberate my heart from pain.

To watch her darkness and her light
I gaze upon the endless sea,
her constant symmetry and might—
her everlasting majesty.

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Plea to the Ocean

Forbid me not to grace thy hallowed shores.
Betray me not, my presence ne’er bemoan—
thou ocean, like thy countless paramours
who’ve gone before me, to that vast unknown.
I’ve sullied not thy depths of mystery
nor cursed thy ever-changing fickle mood,
instead, esteemed your great supremacy—
returned to you for peace and solitude.
Receive me now and bring me sweet release,
while soothing with the glory that is you.
Allow me to unite with thee at peace,
for I have loved thee faithfully and true,
to rest in thee forever in thy spray—
embrace me now and carry me away.

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For Love of the Sea

Thalassa spoke when as a child I played upon the sand—
her swirling foam a gentle whisper I could understand.
In playful mood I’d chase her just to run from her in glee,
then stop – allow my feet to be caressed by teasing sea.
She spoke with enigmatic sighs of lands so far away—
I’d sit and listen, lick my face of salty windblown spray.

She called to me throughout the years, beguiled me with her charm
and mesmerized, delighted me – her beauty could disarm.
She summoned me persistently; I missed her when away—
her therapeutic greatness, her spectacular display.
Enchanted, captured by her spell I’d stroll along the shore
admiring her magnificence till I could walk no more.

I’ve sailed upon her surface, gazed in staggered disbelief
when plunging into chambers deep to view her coral reef,
cocooned in silence all around in Triton’s hidden world
to marvel at the multicoloured splendour there unfurled.
I’ve surfed her splendid pipelines, felt momentum unsurpassed,
and stolen countless fish from her with all the lines I’ve cast.

She beckoned in the evenings with her sensuality,
the moon’s reflection on her face creating mystery,
her quietness inscrutable, yet hushed seductive tones
would hold me captivated, sending shivers through my bones.
Her Sirens on those balmy nights intoxicated me—
she stole my heart forever, this alluring, regal sea.

I’ve seen her calm and tranquil lying blissfully serene,
providing yachts with refuge moored in harbours safe, pristine
whilst white-winged birds shrieked loudly as they hovered in the sky,
admired a pod of dolphins as they’ve swiftly coasted by,
surveyed the dancing whitecaps when the summer breezes blow
and sunlight glistening brightly on his looking glass below.

I’ve heard Poseidon bellow and observed with anxious awe
as fearsome forces gathered, rose to crash upon the shore
with raging waters pounding, power nothing can withstand,
as if to prove their mastery of this primeval land—
her impact carving mountains over every century
to sculpt dramatic cliffs, create the coastline of the sea.

Her many moods astound me. She is beautiful and still,
yet treacherous and unforgiving, wild and cruel at will.
I’ve envied her unleashed emotions passionate and raw,
her silence, freedom, solitude, potential to restore,
respected her invincible and vast supremacy,
secure within her might and her assumed infinity.

So at my end when nothing’s left my solitude to ease,
I pray Thalassa calls me still with precious memories.
As long as I can watch her endless steadfast roll and surge,
the sight will take away my pain and all misgivings purge.
Then happily I’ll listen to that constant ebb and flow,
which drew me as a child and gripped my spirit long ago.

I know her soothing presence will surround me with her peace.
I’ll happily surrender to her lure of sweet release.
One final time she’ll speak to me, her voice will fill my mind
and gladly I will ride that swell and never look behind.
I’ll close my eyes and drop my weary head upon my chest—
the sea will fill my heart and soul and carry me to rest.

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Originally from New Zealand, Catherine Lee is an expatriate currently residing in Thailand. Previously a Purchasing Agent in the hospitality industry, she is now a freelance professional proofreader/editor. In Australia, she has been the recipient of such prestigious prizes as the Blackened Billy Award, Ipswich International Prize, Bryan Kelleher Literary Award, Henry Lawson Society Award, and others. She is a member of several poetry associations, and host editor of the Poets Birthdays and Poets of Yesteryear pages for the monthly Australian magazine, FreeXpresSion.