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Question: What do you do when Ocean turns his back!?
Ocean at 4:00 AM
by Elaine Polin

For Elysabeth

Across the bridge that spans the Great South Bay
The only moving soul in all the world,
I speak to Ocean’s heart, he turns his back,
He has no time; he must speak to the gods!.

How can He too, desert me in my need,
When autumn’s chill keeps me so far from him!?
No daffodils nor turning leaves for me
I care not for the squirrels up in the trees!.

I turn away and cross the bridge again,
How many bridges have I crossed this year!?
With heart as chill as pre-dawn’s coal-black skies
I flee to shelter from this empty night!.

I pray his mood will change with break of day,
Great danger lurks when gods and mortal play
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It is the cycle of life!. The ocean will face you again!. Great poem!. Great atmosphere!. Well written too!. I thoroughly enjoyed it!. It's a keeper!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Amazement fills my eyes in wonder,
seeing a figure, over the bridge,
does she see the wings she carries,
the life in her speech, her words!?

She speaks of the danger lurking,
not realizing her median role,
great danger when gods and mortal play,
but what if you are not completley of this world!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

For Elysabeth too:

Tis the sound of the horn that awakens me
ships sailing shore to shore, look to see
if weather be fickle in their precarious fate
if whether the bridge-tender raises the gate

with gentle smile and a wave of her hand
she rises to the task that's suddenly at hand
she pushes the buttons that raise and light
and awaits the ship to pass into the night

!.!.!. and in between she writes of things that she's seen

otherwise I can only echo what others before me have said in thieir comments!.!.!. it was wonderous Elaine!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

This is incredibly lovely!. In a spiritual and wonderfully atmospheric poem, you address the mighty ocean,or a great power,"in your need"!. Crossing the bridge "again" seems to me to convey a time of seeking, for answers, for guidance!. The last lines are exquisite!. Thank you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The mood of the Ocean is such, that he/she changes their mind every second!.!.!.so, walk out there, grab that 'Ocean' and haul it back to soothing wavelets gracing the shoreline!.!.!.!.

You are never, ever alone, Elaine!.!.!.nor is your wisdom ever unheeded!!!

My thanks for your poem, Great Poetess!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Wow, Elaine, this is an exceptional work of poetic art!. I really enjoyed the darker theme, imagery, and emotion of it!. "Great danger lurks when gods and mortal play"!.!.!.great line!.
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The last line reminds me of a true story!.

My mom and her friend ( both very pregnant) jumped into the Pacific Ocean to save four little kids from drowning in a what locals called a freak "tidal wave"!.

One of them was me!.!.!.!.

Go Mortals !

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Wow this is magnificent and is one of the most beautiful poems i have ever read' and your truely one of the best poets ever Elaine!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great ending!. Metaphorical 'crossing bridges' and the 'no daffodils nor!.!.!.me' were lines that grabbed me!. Well said!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

likes the wee hours in-between worlds!.!.!. some are just going to bed some are just waking up!.!.!. and still some get up and then go back to bed!.!.!. thinks we missed most of this one!.!.!. but if not else it was a nice walk by the ocean!.!.!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great atmosphere, Elaine!. I was beside you hearing the wave-whisper on the wind!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great poem, your words are enfolding to oceans power and fickle
mystery!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think its great, I feel the rejection and the hope all at the same time its beautiful!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Any gods that are too busy for you, are just too busy!. This one is definitely one for the book!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Magnifique , I loved it , mer?iWww@QuestionHome@Com

The oceans and God work so well together!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I know that Ocean!. A couple weeks ago I was swimming in it!. Today,
not so much!. Too cold!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

magnificent!Www@QuestionHome@Com

And the Tide shall turn!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm in awe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

May I just clarify something for my understanding of this verse!?
The only moving soul in all the world!.!.!.!.!.is that you!? or is it Ocean!?

!.!.!.!.he only speaks to gods (!?) - just a thought!.

This needs several readings to fully appreciate it!. At first I thought the No daffodils nor turning leaves for me/I care not for the squirrels up in the trees - didn't fit the rest of the poem!. So back I go, read again, re-read!.!.!.and the old brain finally got it (you are saying the fascination for a nature of daffodils, trees, squirrels etc!. beloved of the Lake poets is not for you!.!.!.!.you are drawn to the ocean every time - sometimes you have an affinity, sometimes you sense rejection)!. I hope I am right!. Www@QuestionHome@Com