But the waves still break
on the Cape of the Goat,
trade winds bend the palms,
all seven seas still beat their drums
for porpoises to dance.

 

Why, this makes me want to pick up a Pan flute and dance.  Makes me feel good, is what I'm trying to say.  Life does continue. 

Life goes on when someone dies...it's all the process of living. Nice way of saying it and great poem!
Nicole

why not a small "b" on "but the waves still break"

?

"all" seems redundant to me, very well could just be:

"trade winds bend the palms,
seven seas still beat their drums
for porpoises to dance."

just take those tidbits or leave them....

well, I do have to attempt to say something useful here & there......lol

xo Michelle

This is beautiful. May have to make a copy for my bulletin board. 

Maybe......their palms // and..........beat fat drums?  So good I had to get the tweezers out.

Good Day, D

But the waves still break
on the Cape of the Goat,
trade winds bend the palms,
all seven seas still beat their drums
for porpoises to dance.

Prefer to leave the 'all' in, Michelle, for an extra drumbeat, and the half, or near half, rhyme with 'palms'.

Thanks to all - I'm think I'm going to be goddam mulish on this - so only a big whack will move me.

milner

I've been looking back at some poems that I've missed when posted. Apologies for picking out a few of Milner's for comment but this is another great one (in my opinion). It reads like a chant or a spell almost, almost hypnotic rhythm.

Read it again Michelle Beth! You CAN'T remove the all!

Andrew

I have to say I like the idea of the sea continuing its dance even after death...well done :)

hmmm -- I just reread this again when it came up after I clicked on "replies to your posts" link; the thing is, I don't understand why it hasn't gone up?  hmm? what to do, what to do . . .

This is fantastic, Milner. Reminds me of a piece by W.S. Merwin that I was unable to find for this comment, unfortunately.

Jay: was it A Coming Extinction? I was reading this a few months ago and had it bookmarked!

An excerpt:

When you will not see again
The whale calves trying the light
Consider what you will find in the black garden
And its court
The sea cows the Great Auks the gorillas
The irreplaceable hosts ranged countless
And fore-ordaining as stars
Our sacrifices
Join your work to theirs
Tell him
That it is we who are important

Both Milner's and Merwin's poems are remarkable!

I'd like to see this as the featured poem but it's too short I dare say.

Well, Lynn has fulfilled your wish on this one, Andrew.

Bless you Lynn. I never expected to see this on the front page because it was so short. That makes me especially proud that it's so honoured.

milner

Yes she has and I'm pleased to see it!

Thank you to whoever (jay, I think) straightened out my glitches in trying to move this one to featured poem.  "Death" may seem an odd choice, given the season, but I found this short poem so full, and for me, helpful. 

Just excellent work, milner.  lynn