Monday Memories: Warm Breezes

A view of Long Wharf along the Choptank River at Cambridge, Maryland. Chesapeake Bay is waiting on the horizon. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Early morning’s reversing wind

No longer facing fierce headwind

 

Life takes comfort in day ahead

Thrilled to be awake, out of bed

 

Skipjack sailing away from home

Leaving Choptank’s berth, free to roam

 

Adventure waiting, take it on

Facing nature, ready with brawn

 

Pride of Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Nathan of Dorchester explores

 

With summer day’s life-giving breeze

She skims across these waves with ease

 

Distant river shoreline fading

Chesapeake Bay, now invading

 

Each crew member tackles his tasks

Loving this boat, each effort basks

 

With warm breezes, life’s sails now fill

Each port of call, sharing goodwill

A skipjack cuts through the water on the Choptank River. It is the official boat of the state of Maryland. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

The inspiration for this poem comes from my travels to Maryland’s Eastern Shore along the Choptank River at Cambridge.  While I haven’t sailed on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester (yet), it is something I would enjoy experiencing during a future summer trip back to my wife’s hometown.

Originally published March, 2021.

Day of Discovery

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Being best of friends, Louis and Clark meet up at sunrise.  Not quite teenagers, this tandem of adventurers is ready to tackle a lazy summer day.

Their mothers have filled their backpacks with a nutritious lunch, and the boys’ eager spirits look forward to another day of discovery.  Walking a familiar trail, they head to their favorite fishing hole.

After a couple of hours without a single bite, Louis and Clark take a break to conquer their hungriness.  In the middle of lunch, they both feel a nudge to do a bit of exploring.  Setting aside their food, their curious minds race ahead with each step they take.

Hidden in a small grove of trees, an abandoned shack catches their attention..  With an open doorway and a single window with missing glass, they wonder who may have lived here years ago.

As they scamper through the inviting entrance, the boys’ imaginations move at warp speed.  The fragile and decaying walls breathe with echoes of voices from long ago.

Searching outside, they come upon traces of scat.  Being careful and quiet, they grab their fishing gear and retreat into the shadows of the nearby trees.

Right on cue, a young black bear appears.  He proceeds to walk into the shack.  Searching for a scent, the bear knows humans have entered his sanctuary.  He pauses to take a look outside.

Totally in charge, the famished bear holds a pair of backpacks filled with deliciousness.

Still in their hiding place, Louis and Clark remain as frozen as wax figures . . . and hungry.    

George Eliot Quotes

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Adventure is not outside man; it is within.

The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.

George Eliot was the pen name for Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880), who was an English journalist, novelist, and poet.  She was an influential writer during the Victorian era.

James Thurber Quotes

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Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.

Live life by the abc’s . . . adventure, bravery, creativity.

James Thurber (1894-1961) was an American author, cartoonist, journalist, and playwright.  He was born in Columbus, Ohio.

O. Henry Quotes

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Fortune is the prize to be worn.  Adventure is the road to it.  Chance is what may lurk in the shadows of the roadside.

Most wonderful of all are words, and how they make friends one with another.

O. Henry, the pen name of William Henry Porter (1862-1910), was an American writer who mastered the art of crafting short stories.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Living for Christ is the most exciting adventure in the world.

From Titus 3:4-5:  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Forward with Hope

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Catching each golden ray

Glowing from morning sunrise

Motivating from depths within

Opportunity’s faithful prize

 

Embracing journey’s breath

Pursuing trials ahead

Moving always forward with hope

Opportunity’s next beachhead

 

Freshening life’s outlook

Following trusted light’s way

Stepping through one more open gate

Opportunity’s grateful play

 

Exploring adventures

Discovering hidden road

Seeking one final victory

Opportunity’s next crossroad

 

Pausing now to give thanks

Relishing each blessed day

Looking toward day’s next chapter

Opportunity’s true gateway

 

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William Butler Yeats Quotes

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Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish writer.  He was well-known for his poetry.

Helen Keller Quotes

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Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow.

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and lecturer.  Her own journey through blindness and deafness encouraged her to advocate for the rights of others who live with disabilities.  

Any Given Day (Haiku Series #305)

Rekindled

Watching every child

Life’s mirror shares reflections—

Seeing bit of self

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Getaway

Viewing from window

Life’s gentle pace steps outside—

Adventure’s road trip

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Testimony

Scanning fresh headlines

Life discovers some goodness—

Flowing with kindness

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