And so the branch lies there bleached white
Its leaves no longer court the light,
Torn by wind, weathered by spindrift,
Like Ozymandias it stands
A reminder, beached on the sands.
Time’s horses fly, colors redshift,
Yet we remain through words and art,
Cover distances though apart
We’re born, we love, our journey’s swift.
This is for Jane’s Poetry Challenge 23: Nove Otto 9 lines, 8 syllables, aabccbddb
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
My memories of this lovely beach are certainly more vivid than those of Shelley’s poem that I remember discussing with students who were clueless about life’ brevity. So nice to have your company on “The lone and level sands stretch[ing] far away.”
And it was wonderful to have your company, too! 🙂
I love Ozymandias too. And you managed to slip ‘spindrift’ in there 🙂
I meant to thank you for giving me a opportunity to get “spindrift” and “redshift” in one poem. 🙂
The pleasure is all mine 🙂
Oh my… you captured Assateague so beautifully in your wonderful poem.
Thank you so much, Robin! You would certainly know. 🙂
Merril … a beautiful image that so nicely captures a lovely time with kindred souls. Thanks for this and for your presence on the beach!
Thank you, Mary! It was great getting to know you (as Marian says, the three-dimensional version.) 🙂
Enjoyed your photo and also poem, Merril. Glad some of you had some time to entertwine with words and lives.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Cliff. I’m glad you liked it.
I love this evocative photo, Merril. And you managed to contain it within a form. I can tell that poetry is calling your name right now. And it isn’t a siren song. 🙂
Thanks, Shirley. 🙂
Very well done.
Thank you, Ken!
The photo really adds to the mood of the words…good cross-fertilization. (K)
Thanks, K.! 🙂
You must be having a lot of fun with these poetry challenges! Life is too short . . . .
I AM, Luanne. I have this poetry Muse that is suddenly awake and moving. 🙂
Woot, I like it!!!
How do you do BIG smile? 🙂
“Yet we remain through words and art…” This jumped out to me. Love it.
I miss your head popping up from your computer screen as I wind my way down the hall each early morning. FYI
That was the line my husband liked, too. 🙂
That is such a great poem Merril 🙂 my memory was tingling with the spindrift and redshift 🙂
Awww, thank you so much, Janice. I’ve been waiting to use spindrift and redshift in one poem. 🙂
It’s fun to use new and expressive words 🙂
🙂
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This one I love 🙂
Thank you so much, Kim! 🙂