Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

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Shelley Hansen
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Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Shelley Hansen » Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:28 pm

Uncharted Journey
(c) Shelley Hansen 4/6/18

I ordered a piece from an artist -
"A seascape's the ticket," I said.
"You know - something coastal and soothing ..."
She nodded. I said, "Go ahead!"

I came to collect my new painting
expecting I'd like what I saw,
but when she rotated the easel
my senses absorbed so much more.

My present surroundings receded ...
I savoured the salt on the breeze
that tickled my ears with its mischief,
retreating to sigh in the trees.

I thought of the sweet days of childhood,
of fishing adventures with Dad,
while shrieking gulls fought for position
to claim any scraps that we had.

A stealthy white crane stalked the mangroves,
a pelican stood on the brink.
"His beak can hold more than his belly,"
my Dad would intone with a wink.

The plump jumping mullet were splashing,
and oysters were crowding the rocks.
The trawlers were slowly arriving,
unloading their catch at the docks.

Those days, so idyllic and precious
had seemed never-ending to me,
and now, though their magic is over
this scene set my memories free.

Her voice dragged me back from my dreaming ...
and now her work graces my wall.
The route of its uncharted journey
holds happiest moments of all.
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

vwalla
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by vwalla » Tue Jun 05, 2018 10:30 am

Shelley
You've managed to paint an equally delightful scene with your words.
Thanks ValW

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Shelley Hansen » Tue Jun 05, 2018 2:22 pm

Thanks so much, Val! :D
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Tue Jun 05, 2018 2:25 pm

Whoo Hooo! You nailed it :lol: Now that's my kind of painting Shelley - well done. Love it.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Shelley Hansen » Tue Jun 05, 2018 2:45 pm

Thanks Maureen!

I know the subject of fishing with my Dad is a recurring theme with me ... but again, your prompts did the job and took me back through the years!!
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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Catherine Lee
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Catherine Lee » Tue Jun 05, 2018 3:19 pm

Incredibly vivid picture Shelley - love it! As with Maureen's, all the senses come into play, and it brought to mind a seascape painting that's been in my own family for years - not to mention a smile with the reference to the familiar 'pelican' rhyme tucked in there which my Dad (probably all Dads, everywhere!) used to say.

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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Terry » Wed Jun 06, 2018 4:12 pm

I agree with everyone, you have painted a very clear picture with your excellent choice of words.
Well done Shelley a pleasure to read.

Terry

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Shelley Hansen » Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:24 pm

Thanks so much Terry and Catherine!

Yes, I think it's true that many Dads everywhere used to recite the pelican poem!

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Neville Briggs
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Neville Briggs » Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:33 pm

That is really well done Shelley. You have made the vivid images bring the experience of the seaside alive in words. By an earlier comment, you seemed to be a bit hesitant to do the subject but look what has come out of your thoughts, great !

I wonder sometimes why we focus so much on the bush for the Australian "legend" , when Australians are really dedicated to the sea coast,our European settlement was founded by sailors and our early British governors were naval officers. Seaside homes are the most desirable of real estate.

Of course it was Ogden Nash who wrote
A funny old bird is the pelican
His beak can hold more than his belly can.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: Homework WE 18/6/18 - Uncharted Journey

Post by Shelley Hansen » Sun Jun 10, 2018 7:25 am

Thank you Neville!

Your comment is so true ... the “traditional” Aussie wears an Akubra and chokes in outback dust - yet we have always been a seafaring nation as well, and most people’s lives are coastal.

So many stories of voyages, heroism, shipwrecks from the past ... just waiting to be told in poetry!

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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