It seems a wee bit pompous. The poet observes the tide. I think it's the
"welcome and pleasant" aspect that undermines the poem. It's as if the poet
is trying to observe nature, but can experience only his own reaction to
nature, and thinks hey! if it's a poet's reaction, it must be poetry, so get
it down anyhow. It is very carelessly written, the first stanza doesn't even
make sense, what is it that is "welcome and pleasant"?
I would advise that a worthwhile poem would express and explore something
about the scene, whereas this seems to be another seaside postcard with a
big inky cross marked "I was here".
One cannot help but feel that quality might be a more worthwhile ambition
than quantity.
Regards
Tom

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 8:34 AM
Subject: Instance 8


> Yes, still going and more in the pipeline. I thought it was gong to be one
a
> day but it seems to accelerate. They are all taking different forms which
> I'm pleased about. Thanks for the words of encouragement from many of you.
>
> INSTANCE 8
>
> Some rain, and the tide pulls in
> on a steady breeze -
> the smell of river becomes ranker
> in the moistness
> though welcome and pleasant
> contains a reality
> sounder than the tribulations
> life can bring.
>
> The small coastal boat two people lived on
> has gone with
> the romance of sailing on the tide
> while most of us
> remain on the edge and refuse
> or hesitate
> to return to a primordial element.
>
> Gull cries grow louder as the water
> rises, many sit
> on its surface and become part
> of the lift
> from the inward tide flow.
>
> They all float with rising confidence.
>
>
>
> bw
> James
>
>
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