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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Lifeguard (11/09/06)
From the sea fate called to me,
harmless ‘round my ankles danced.
Brimming with frivolity
my heart leaped in, taking the chance.

Like my mood the waves were grand,
spurting high above the swells,
blithely scooping up the sand,
rearranging all the shells.

Eagerly I caught the next,
rode its fluid, forceful back,
felt the muscle that it flexed-
surging strength my spirit lacked.

Repeatedly I safely lit
with abandon, bliss and pride.
I rode each crest with half a wit,
trusting fluctuating tide.

Heedless, forging deeper still,
I left the safety of the shore,
seeking yet a greater thrill
above the ocean’s mighty roar.

At last I rode so deep, so far
my feeble arms could never swim
to yonder shore or distant bar.
I journeyed there upon a whim.

Until then, fate was my friend.
Suddenly he turned about-
turned deserter in the end,
mimicking my panicked shout.

Breakers crashed above my head,
felled me with tremendous force.
I sank down with fear and dread,
gulped salt water and remorse.

Flailing arms grasped liquid air.
Vain, I’d failed to leash my board.
Absorbed with merriment, I’d dared
to take my eyes off of the Lord.

Hopeless, helpless I was tossed.
Billows whirled and whipped about.
I knew then that all was lost-
perceived it well, without a doubt.

As the ocean roiled and seethed
sturdy arms lifted my head,
bidding me to simply breathe…
“Breathe!” is all the lifeguard said.

One breath, I think of it, amazed!
Strength restored, spirit renewed.
Refocusing my fickle gaze,
I saw that I had been pursued.

Foolishly I’d rushed to play.
Wiser eyes followed me there.
Though I drifted far away,
He marked my every move with care.

I soon inhaled with greater ease.
Deft, He steered me to the shore.
With gratitude my heart was seized.
The lifeguard gave me life once more.
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This article has been read 1709 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Monique Fox
11/17/06
Please post more of your poems at Poetry and Poets of God: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poetryandpoetsofgod/
Teresa Lee Rainey
11/22/06
Such lyrical poetry. I enjoyed reading this. :^)
Edy T Johnson
11/26/06
Oh, this is just exquisite poetry! The choice of words, the undulating rhythm, fits just perfectly with the message. Your reader can experience the lapping water, the rush of the wave, the exuberance of being carried away, the terror of the deep, the relief of the rescue. This is a winner in my book, and a keepsake to my favorites. [Thank you, too, for commenting on my lifeguard entry! I appreciate it.]
Dee Yoder
06/26/07
Wonderful images! I especially liked this:

"...blithely scooping up the sand, rearranging all the shells."

It instantly brought back memories of watching the waves along the shore.
Joanne Sher 
06/26/07
Just beautiful - with a lesson. I love the imagery!
Jacquelyn Horne
06/26/07
Wonderful account of the saving power of the Lord and the love he shows in keeping us within sight.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
06/26/07
I love your excellent descriptions and your underlying message.
Benjamin Graber
06/27/07
I love it!!! Such a great illustration of our tendency to wander where we shouldn;t go, and yet Father's loving care for us...
Loren T. Lowery
06/27/07
What a wonderful poem, filled with so many truths. You had me from the beginning with, "From the sea fate called to me,
harmless ‘round my ankles danced" From that point on, I knew I was in for a great, insightful read. Thank-you for sharing this in a re-post!