Waves roll into shore,
Stirring up cool, white foam,
Then recede back into the ocean
To hit the shore once more.
Stirring up cool, white foam,
Frothing milky white,
Trailing bubbles across the sand.
Then recede back into the ocean,
Like bathwater flowing down the drain,
As sands shift underfoot.
To roll into shore once more,
Rolling, gathering momentum from afar
Impacting the shore with its power.
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This was written for dVerse’s trimeric poetry challenge. Their page defines the trimeric form this way:
1. Trimeric has 4 stanzas
2. The first stanza has 4 lines
3. The other three stanzas have 3 lines each
4. The first line of each stanza is a refrain of the corresponding line in the first stanza (so 2nd stanza starts with the second line, third stanza starts with the third line, etc.).
5. The sequence of lines, then, is abcd, b – -, c – -, d – -.
Here is a little background behind my creative process for this one. I wasn’t sure of a subject at first, so I thought I’d do my own “photo prompt” and perused unsplash.com for a photo I liked. I selected the ocean pic above. As I thought about it, I realized the form really suited the subject of waves, as the repetitions seemed to suit that in and out feeling.
I could really imagine the waves in your words, Susan!
<3
David
Thank you. I haven’t even been “down the shore” yet this season, but looking at this photo and thinking about the ocean just brought back all this vividness of being there and standing in the waves.
You played well with the movements of the waves – stirring, receding and rolling back in.
It captured the energy of the photo.
Thanks for joining in.
Thank you, Grace. 🙂
You’re right, the repetition of the form works well for the lulling rolls of the waves. Many vivid images. I like the comparison of the receding waves to bathwater going down the drain.
Thank you, Jade. 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
You’re right: the form really does suit the subject. Love your waves of poetry here!
the back and forth of the waves were mirrored in the refrains in this poem. beautiful
Thank you. 🙂
Definitely can feel the ebb & flow here. Wonderful trimericism!
Thank you, Ron. 🙂
I was going to say what Ron said – this form is perfect for the rushing in and out of the water. Lovely poem.
Thank you very much. 🙂
Gorgeous soothing poem, Susan. I especially love the second and third stanzas. It did indeed feel like a cosy dip in the bath <3
Ah, thank you, Sunra. 🙂
Even with that power, there is a sense of calm here, perfect for the ebb and flow.
Thank you, Ken. 🙂
Your cadence was perfectly suited to this! It mimicked those gorgeously described waves.
Excellent trimeric!
Thank you very much, Susan
You utilized lovely movement throughout this trimeric …. I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you, Helen. 🙂
I feel like I have just visited the ocean! This is amazing 😍😍
Thank you, Sanaa. 🙂
You’re right, the form is like the back and forth of waves!
Thank you, Jane. 🙂
🙂
Beautifully done in the cadence of ocean waves. A pleasure reading.
pax,
dora
Thank you, Dora. 🙂
Thank you for this moment by the Ocean Susan, it was a delight! Excellent Writing.
Ah, thanks so much, Rob. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I think the waves and your poem are very meditative
Thank you, Bjorn. 🙂