I was told
look for that large oceanit has it all
the grandness of size
the vastness of space
where all that swims resides
it is greater than all the
streams, rivers and lakes
In my world
when I would swim in streamsI felt like a large
yellow goldfish
then in fresh river water
I would be the
talk of all the fins
I wouldn’t scale back
showing off the pinkness
of my skin
and in the lake
I was king
But then when I reached
the ocean most large it was
with all the varying types
but the waves were too large
with time my scales
became feathered
I was small in its vastness
naked and bare
I had lost my identity
I struggled in
the oceans tidebecame tired quickly
couldn’t swim with the
stream and floundered
and floundered
till I lay my head
on the beach to
sleep
Such a universal experience you write about here. I can relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed and insufficient when we leave our own little worlds and venture out to something bigger. Sometimes I like being a big fish in a small pond better!
ReplyDeletenice perspective.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love the extended metaphor that you've explored here. This poem speaks clearly and resonates on many levels with me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGracias mi amigas. I know many times our voices, our words, mirror each others. We just use different words different ways of expressing universal commonalities.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever seen a better take on "the little fish in the big blue sea." Thanks for posting and viva la
ReplyDeleteI especially love your description of swimming in the lake. Perfect metaphor for life as children, then adults. I know being an adult has sure tuckered ME out! Smiles. Good one, my friend.
ReplyDelete"I was small in its vastness
ReplyDeletenaked and bare
I had lost my identity"
I like that a lot.
Life has a way of swallowing us or making us fearful when we move beyond our little secluded space...beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteTouches me at the moment - very much feel like I am floudering in the sea of life. Nicely captured.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of metaphor, as we move through life we can either be overwhelmed or opened to the new, but it can be exhausting.
ReplyDelete"till I lay my head
ReplyDeleteon the beach to
sleep"
That struggle can be exhausting at times!
Wow, this expresses so well the big dreams and innocent self-importance of childhood giving way to the reality of adulthood.
ReplyDelete