November by the Sea
The cliffs, they are eroding
On old Pacific shores,
But chill November calls me
To where the ocean roars.
I hear the rolling breakers
As they approach the land.
I hearken to their thunder
Resounding on the sand.
And then I’m looking skyward
Where there’s a silver sheen—
A half-moon softly setting,
The calm and cool Selene.
The ocean seems aggressive;
The moon is rather shy—
Those mighty, rolling waters;
Selene, her silent sigh.
A contrast in demeanor
From God’s almighty hand—
The sea displays a power;
Selene exerts command.
Margaret Brinton has lived in San Diego’s inland valley area for over forty years where she taught and tutored. Her poems have recently been published in California Quarterly and Westward Quarterly and The Lyric with upcoming work in the greeting card industry.
A beautiful poem which paints a clear picture with few words. The sky above and the sea below is always so inspiring.
Margaret, as one who shares a daily view of the Pacific (from a SW corner of Washington) your lovely description of an aggressive ocean contrasted with a shy moon is both compelling and familiar. Your words call to me. Perhaps after arising from bed (and before heading off for morning worship) I should take a short walk from my house through the dune grass to where I can curl my feet in today’s rain-wet sand and be entranced by the eternal advance and retreat of the sea.
Yes, a beautiful poem appreciating one
of God’s countless gifts. In the moment, I
envy your nearness to its subject and
admire your poetic description of it.
To Richard and James and JD,
Thank you very much , gentlemen, for reading my work and for your affirmation.
By the way, James, I am actually a half-hour inland from the coast, not nearly as close to the coast as you are!
Margaret, I love the contrasts presented here. For me, you have painted a powerful linguistic picture that rises from the page and brings with it memories of the Kentish coastline in Autumn… the moon and the swirling of the sea bring with them a sense of awe and serenity. I also love the spiritual nature of the piece. Thank you!
Thank you, Susan! And thanks also to Evan who not only promotes your bold creativity, but my stark simplicity.
Margaret, your use of the name “Selene” works magic. You suggest what is coming with “by the sea” in your title. It’s almost as if we’re waiting for the companionable moon to appear (so very gently!) in the middle stanza, and be named as it ends. Again in the next stanza, there’s contrast with the oceanic aggression and her extremely personal sigh. As the whole poem ends, we’re suddenly startled to understand her controlling force as we hear “Selene” one last time. But she makes the tides–and you’ve created this beautiful subtlety reminding us.
Thank you very much, Margaret, for your keen perception of my intent for this poem. Your thoughtful analysis so nicely reinforces my work.
I enjoyed the jauntiness of this poem when describing a month usually renowned for its austerity and often neglected in place of more popular months.
Thanks for the read, Margaret, it’s perked me up after a long day at work.
Your approval made my day, Paul. Thank you!
Margaret, as one who lived in the San Diego region, I not only can imagine the cliffs of La Jolla eroding, but know they are. What a beautiful wrought poem you have given us that enchanted me.
Your generous comment is very much appreciated, Roy! Thank you!