Deliverance
Upon the bank, this waters wave,
_And beckon you, “Come wade.”
You step into the chilly stream
_And sip spiked lemonade.
The current flows around your waist.
_You think, “Why be afraid?”
You feel sand shift below your feet.
_The torrent’s swift and strong.
You turn to face the empty bank:
_The river roars its song.
You start to slip in swirling muck;
_The surge pulls you along
And swept like leaves upon the stream—
_The shore’s a distant sight.
You float downstream as arms grow weak
_And thrash with all your might.
A voice is heard: “It’s sink or swim!”
_How much more can you fight?
You cough up foam and start to sink
_But feel a hand’s strong hold,
Which pulls you up into a boat.
_He speaks with words from old:
“I pulled your body from the deep.
_Shall we discuss your soul?”
Beach Peach
Beach peach.
Ripe bite.
Fun sun.
Sand strand.
Wet pet.
Sea breeze.
Kite’s flight.
Dip chips.
Pop tops.
Munch lunch.
Cloud shroud.
Storm forms.
Flash. Dash.
Squall falls.
Rain wanes.
Dark harks.
Stars are.
Moon looms.
Fire spires.
Wine shines.
Kiss bliss.
Peter Venable has been writing poetry for fifty years and his poems have appeared in The Lyric, The Merton Seasonal, The Christian Century, and other publications. More of his work can be found at petercvenable.wordpress.com. His “Roofless Church” merited an Honorable Mention in The Best Poems of 2024 in the SCP’s International Poetry Competition.
Wow! Two contrasting pieces. We’ve probably all got into trouble in the water, one time or another, so Deliverance resonates. For me, my hand slipped from the rail around a swimming pool, condemning me to the deep (end) and a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me out – though he or she wasn’t after my soul!
I particularly enjoyed ‘Beach Peach’ and your day at the seaside. A fun, whimsical piece, and a unique style to me. The alternate word rhymes is well-sustained, seamless, and quite remarkable.