I found something breathtaking this weekend for $4.25.
These beautiful Pathway Art Cards with poetry on the back. Though blank inside, I wanted desperately to write the exact words penned by Philip Martz on the inside with my own handwriting.
The trouble is, I can’t bring myself to part with them.
And I can’t frame them because the words are as beautiful as the picture.
See for yourself:
As children, we are drawn to the sea’s call
beyond a hand-drawn universe,
by the persistent undertow, a persuasive tugging at us
despite the instinct to retreat,
or remain upright on our tiptoes.
Yet rolling waves beckon us to venture in
over our heads,
to test our meddle, to face each wave head-on,
before it lifts us up over ourselves,
dashing us against the ocean floor.
Coaxing us to swim farther out to sea,
as a necessary distraction from the cries
and arm-flapping of parents
given over to realized fears,
jealous of newfound independence,
frightened of unproven skills to navigate safely
to shore under our own volition.
Finding traction, if not renewed courage not to panic.
Upon being served notice by any random whelk shell
that the sea speaks of life’s hard knocks
With a sustained groan,
long after childhood lessons have been absorbed.
~Philip Martz
Take the Automatic 7 