Ocean Possibility

Poetry 2 Minutes

Ocean Possibility
by Manuel A. Luna-Murray

I am a River…

A river of words
mountain poetry
flowing out to sea
Ocean possibility

quench your soul
splashing feet
Heaven’s tears
abide in me.

I am a River…
Long and old
many streams
flow within me.

Winding roads
dizzying twists
gentle currents
false starts
sudden stops
abrupt changes
I have witnessed
throughout my history.

I am a Stone…

Thrown into the river
happily skipping along
Skidding atop the surface
diving into the deep

I have been
here a decade
many changes
have I seen.

Once rough ends
had been my composition
now smooth edges
shape my inner being.

Perilous journeys
I have taken
Innumerable obstacles
I have faced

but the River’s steadying flow
has faithfully guided me
through its myriad streams
into this wondrous, glorious sea.

I am a Fish…

I was born in the river
tasted its food
satisfied my thirst
in its sweet waters.

Raised by the river
I’ve never been alone
as friends and family
have supported me
throughout my many years

things have never been easy
and many tales of woe I could tell
of Man’s fishing ventures and pollutants
family deaths, resource competition
relentless predators, tenacious prey
droughts and floods

but this is neither
the place nor time
for such wild outbursts.

Throughout it all
one thing has remained constant—
the River’s steady heartbeat

its soothing presence
filling my soul
with gratitude.
Now a fish at sea
happily my dream
I have at last fulfilled.

I am a Sea…

I was once a River…

Many things I have
witnessed throughout
my many years

Lengthy and arduous
has been the journey
that brought me
to this place.

Diverted streams
my dying body
have separated

wars have been fought
above and below
my inner core

and faithful prayers
of refreshment have
long gone unanswered by
the sun’s unwavering smile.

My children have been kidnapped
my territory reduced
pollution has threatened my extinction
on more than one occasion.

Despite all these challenges–

against injustice I have prevailed
for the sake of my people—
Nature in all its forms

I harbor no bitterness or resentment
toward those who have
threatened my life
and so I stand
before all of nature
robed in majesty and splendor
in humble submission
before you all
dreaming only of the day
I might become an Ocean
and fulfill my destiny

For I am a Sea…

I was once a River…

A river of words
mountain poetry
flowing out to sea
Ocean possibility

This poem can be read alongside my introductory post The Journey Begins. Additional background on what inspired this poem along with this blog titled can be learned from reading my River Ripples… Ocean Waves… Ocean Possibility Explained post. For the Spanish version of this introductory post check out El Viaje Comienza. The Spanish version of this poem is titled Un Océano de Posibilidad.

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Published by River Words... Ocean Possibilities/Un Río de Palabras… Un Océano de Posibilidades

Manuel A. Luna-Murray is a Lancaster poet who has lived several years in Puerto Rico and has spent many years immersed in the battlefield of the chessboard. He loves reading and writing poetry and combining the diverse features of his linguistic and cultural heritage into a picturesque portrait of life as seen through the eyes of a wide-eyed stranger. Writing in both English and Spanish his verse proclaims the trumpet of diversity as it lends itself to the eyes and ears of various groups in search of their identity. Manuel A. Luna-Murray es un poeta de Lancaster quien ha vivido muchos años tanto en Puerto Rico como en los Estados Unidos. El Ajedrecista Poeta ha luchado incontables batallas dentro del maravilloso y competitivo mundo del juego ciencia. Amante a la lectura y escritor de poesías, sus versos ofrecen un diverso deleite de manjares oriundos de su diversidad lingüística y cultural creando así un pintoresco retrato de la vida transmitido a través de la inocencia de un extranjero recién llegado. Escritor del inglés y el español, sus obras proclaman la diversa sinfonía de ojos y oídos de varios grupos en búsqueda de su identidad.

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