Where Maps End

Gold cherry

By marandina

Tue, 12 Nov 2024
  • 510 reads
23 comments
 

Where Maps End

Rays of maple light

shimmer at sunrise,

Dawn’s horizon cast

on a glass sea below.

Enveloping nascence,

A quiet overture of

birdsong choristers;

orchestral intones.

Footprints in sand

tell unspoken tales

where whispers echo

washed away by waves.

The bleak shoreline

is the end of time

where maps end

and begin again.

 

Pic is my own

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

That's a lovely evocation of such a deserted beach at such a time. We lived near a very busy beach when I was young, and my father used to say the best time to visit was at Christmas time, no crowds.

It is a place of end and beginning and contemplation. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon.

Definitely places of contemplation. That's a lovely idea, visiting a beach at Christmas.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Maps are like rainbows. They never truly end, even though we think they do. Wander off the edge of the map and you never know what adventure you'll find... maybe even a crock of gold.

Lovely words Paul. They make me want to go to a distant place where no one ever goes.

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, T.

A crock of gold would be handy. You only get those on the beaches in Ireland, I think. Maybe.

That's the magic of shorelines....looking out at a horizon where all things are possible.

This poem was inspired by a recent trip to Suffolk. Visited RSPB Minsmere and found myself staring out at the North Sea and an oil rig in the distance made it seem even more isolated that it was. Vistas to fire the imagination.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

You have caught beautifully the portentous (no pun meant) feeling of the sea at dawn

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks Di.

The sea at dawn is a beautiful thing.

Most things at dawn are a beautiful thing.

Well...some....

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Uncharted waters, lovely film, the Dawn Trader!

Good luck to you, all the best! Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Tom. I think it's 'The Dawn Treader'.

'The Dawn Trader' is probably a spin-off from 'Wall St'. I know nuffink, though.

Keep well. Paul

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The Voyage of the Dawn Trader is one of the Narnia stories by CS Lewis, there is a brilliant film too. For those young at heart!

All the best!

 

Submitted by celticman on

where maps end, time begins anew. yeh, we all get like that. I don't know if it's sadness or recognition. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM. It's probably both. Who knows?

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This marvellously calming poem by Marandina may be just what you need. It is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for the Pick, Di. Much appreciated! :)

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Yes, a nice description of a beach at that time and place. I like the title, 'Where Maps End' particularly. There is some of that feeling at most coastlines, and deserts too. Perhaps that is part of the trouble with the modern world ; the maps never end, internet maps and satnavs go all around the world, and maybe we are losing some of the mystery? Now wherever we go there are many there before us.

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, David. Yes....deserts...there's another wonderful prompt for poetry.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

There is such a significant pensive feeling about this poem Paul. I can tell the words hold a lot of meaning for you, of a much loved place.

Very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jenny. I hadn't been to this part of Suffolk before. We stayed in beautiful Letheringham. It was all very lovely and I would definitely go there again.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

This is beautiful. I can picture the bleak shoreline, the end of time, unchanging and yet drawing an endless back and forth of tide. I remember as a child feeling so confused about the edges of the universe, the end of space and of mapped geography. I'm still confused. Does space have an end? 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the kind words, Jane.

I don't know the answer to your question. We could get into multiverse theory...but maybe not on a Friday afternoon :)

 

Submitted by queen beatle on

This is so lovely and quiet, a delicate painting. I particularly love the imagery of 'maple light' shimmering. Birth and death and rebirth as the tide changes.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you. So glad you liked it.

 

Submitted by ruthmg on

Really evokes a timeless quality. I spend lots of time on the beach just contemplating and this makes me feel like I am there. Thank you

Ruth G

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you for reading. I guess places like this are timeless. That's probably the right word.