The hunt, or: The soul sea

Poetry Partners #12

A poem by Selma Martin of ‘Selma’

A worthy cause, start the hunt
for a calm place to inhabit
merits more than trends to uphold
untethered from modish habits

But who, pray tell, marooned us here
like beached whales needing assistance?
How to find the point of return;
woke to the sacred solutions?

Take heed of the words of elders
whose hardships built strength for ‘morrows
that strength can inform your todays
for growth to lighten your sorrows

Don’t be seduced by: you can’t lose
gains don’t come from wins alone
balance holding on/letting go
apologies/kudos unsung

The calmest place to inhabit,
anchors safely inside of you

• Selma Martin: https://selmamartin.com/

A villanelle by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

Yearning, seek within thyself
In bowels deepest, such calm
Where soul sea laps distant shelf

Past forests green lies rock shelf
The views from which, tender balm
Yearning, seek within thyself

You must tread this path thyself
Through boulders, cold streams, tall palms
Where soul sea laps distant shelf

Mythical, that tranquil shelf
Where winds and tides offer psalms
Yearning, seek within thyself

Nurture courage in thyself
Let go conclusions and qualms
Where soul sea laps distant shelf

Serenity's not gained with pelf
Nor by vain, reluctant alms
Yearning, seek within thyself
Where soul sea laps distant shelf

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Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

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List of Poetry Partners