"To the waters and the wild-I leave you not in sorrow, but in love."
Sea Scattering Remembrance
on a sunkissed day of memories
tiny feet mark morning sand
seawater sparkles in sunshine
little grandgirls quietly wait
tiny feet mark morning sand
a tranquil ceremony begins
little grandgirls quietly wait
gentle waters offer solace
a tranquil ceremony begins
seasparkles illuminate the ocean
gentle waters offer solace
our heavy hearts sigh
seasparkles illuminate the ocean
peaceful waters move closer to shore
our heavy hearts sigh
tiny hands watch and wait
peaceful waters move closer to shore
grandgirls tiptoe forward
tiny hands wait their turn
on this sea scattering morning
grandgirls tiptoe toward the tide
light sweeps across the ocean
on this sea scattering morning
we honor Grandpa's endearing love
light sweeps across the ocean
in tribute to what was
we honor Grandpa's endearing love
his story remains in our hearts
©CVarsalona, Summer 2026
"Let the gentle rocking of the ocean carry you away. You are loved, you are cherished, you are deeply missed."
Note: The above quote and the opening one are signed anonymously. AI states that the first quote "adapts phrasing from W. B. Yeats' poem, "The Stolen Child".
The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Tanita S. Davis, who is enjoying the excitement of new publications and a reminder that the Poetry Sisters will open the door to a new challenge for next week. Click here to read her blog and many others in today's Poetry Friday.
Carol, how beautiful and sad and hopeful, too. What strength these past days have been ironed into you. Bless this ceremony with sacred memory.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this today.
ReplyDelete"Not in sorrow, but in love." - What a generous and comforting beginning.
One thing I took special note of was the way the waves entered your poem - that gentle rocking is evident in the pace of the girls - their footsteps arrive first. Then, they wait, quiet and patient, and child-solemn for their moment. Then they creep forward, hands ready... and then they take their time with Grandpapa, and remember.
I'm reminded of a line from Walt Whitman's poem "Out of a Cradle Endlessly Rocking," wherein he mourns with a bird who has lost a mate, "And thenceforward all summer in the sound of the sea." Those waves rolling in and rolling out become a part of the tenderness of grief in this poem, washing a hollowed, hallowed space. Beautifully done.
-Tanita
Tanita, I send you many thanks for letting your words, tender and full of calm, wash over me. I needed.this gift. See you next week for the pantoum challenge. Congratulations on you books coming into the world!
DeleteCarol, your hope and light shines bright in the darkness. This is so beautiful. What a lovely setting for a "sea scattering morning." Peace to you and all your dear family.
ReplyDeleteCarol, this is so lovely and moving. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sea-scattering memory you've created, Carol. Hugs to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteYou captured a solemn moment with such beauty and care. I love that you didn't rush through it, but savored each detail, and centered the experience on the children who were learning first lessons in honoring and cherishing, mourning and celebrating.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sea-scattering, sea-sparkling moment, full of sorrow, solace and joy despite itself. Thanks for bringing us along, Carol.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol, so beautiful and so touching. Your husband lives on through your love and the love of your family.
ReplyDeleteMemories illuminate. Stories remain.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrated my mom's life last week and buried her remains in the same space we had buried my dad's a year ago. In my remarks, I shared: The universe is not made of atoms, it is made of stories. And each generation adds to what is never really finished. Marking this moment with your grandgirls is helping them continue the story of love that flowed from their grandpa and you.
What a lovely and moving poem, Carol. I'm carried with you, walking along the sand toward the water and the beautiful seasparkles. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol--so much bittersweet beauty in these peaceful waters. Wishing you and your family that same peace, even in grief. <3, Laura
ReplyDelete
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