The Ocean Was My Temple

Thanks ” by the pound ” Pagly2 !
I have 12 written works on RB – 4 very recent poems, an intro for a science fiction movie ( just me dreaming, not a reality ), and 7 that were poems written in the middle of 2003. They are more about philosophy and secular spirituality than my current poems. Some would say they’re very stale, but I don’t know.

I never thought of that ! It was just about surfing and the sensations that it gives you. But I see your point !

That’s a powerful impact ! I like that !

I love comments on any kind of art I make because it’s like writing in a few new lines at the end, or adding a few new details to an image – it makes it more complete.

Did you mean Wave To God ? I don’t know where to point my wave at, so I suppose down at the ground will suffice ! Being short, it will make me feel more connected to the great scheme of things ! :D

Thanks Dropping Arm Into Cuttie Man !

Great stuff ! Glad to hear it. The skate park is calling me ! “James ! James ! ” and I must obey.

A Big Mouth ! It’s swallowed a few hours of my time over these last few years and I don’t mind at all ! You get that same natural high, relaxed feeling when you come home exhausted and charged with adrenaline that hasn’t abated yet. I sound old describing it like that – I should be all ” that was ssooo sick, bro ” but times change and me as well. Just flowing with it, not resisting.

Thanks very much Lallymac, I’m glad you like it !

Thank you very much Angel, I really appreciate the Fave ! This was written to try and let people who have not surfed understand that it is far more than just a hobby or a sport. It becomes a way to worship the environment and really feel a strong connection to it.

Thanks very much Laurette ! I used to experience all that and so much more, but would have never described it that way years ago. Cheers, James.

Thanks very much Kim ! It was also featured in The True Beauty a few days before as well. I wrote a Journal to thank the moderators, including you ! :)

Thank you, much appreciated !

Thanks very much Brendan, that’s great news ! [ I like the Grunge Banner too ! ]

Thanks for your awesome comment Deb ! I’m glad it had that much of an effect on you. Surfing is that powerful an experience that many nights I couldn’t get to sleep, re-calling the manoeuvres and best waves of the day.

Thanks for the fave too !

I use a million tabs in my browser and forgot to reply to your great comment Rosa ! :))
The ocean can be very dangerous and has claimed countless lives throughout history, so it’s very worthy of respect and awe. I’ve had quite a few lacerations, scrapes and breathless dunkings in my years of surfing too. But it was still worth it and I still felt driven to catch waves and ride them to the best of my ability – and to expand that skill at every opportunity.

This poem is written in a way I probably would never have described surfing in my earlier years. It’s designed to give people who haven’t surfed an insight into the spiritual and self-expressive nature of surfing. To let them see beyond the simple act of riding a wave, flicking off and then riding another one. Which from an outsiders point of view might seem pointless and a wasteful use of valuable time. It looks like you really ” got it ” which is really something ! Thanks :-))

Thanks Rosa ! :-)

Thanks a lot Kevin ! I wrote it in a way that non-surfers could get the feeling of surfing and experience some of the magic that you just can’t discern from the shore.

It would seem a really flowery and eccentric to a surfer – even to me about 18 years ago. I’m glad you liked it. :)

Thanks very much for choosing to feature my writing Nancy ! :))

Thanks a lot !

Thanks Shelagh, I appreciate your feedback ! :-)