Sunlit morning, wide beckoning bay,
Our kayaks slip off the small beach into the sea
I reach and stab at the water to keep pace with my sons
Braced in the kayak, steering into the waves,
Paddling one push at a time, we head for the ocean
Waves lift us and shake us, spray intoxicates as it spatters a face
Bright sun dazzles from wave tops and the open water beckons
To port, excited shouts as surfer meets water meets rock
Here, concentration as kayak cleaves water
The rhythm of the paddle calms my fears of capsizing
And I breast a wave exhilarated and happy
Woman, kayak and ocean
Copyright © 2016 Kim Whysall-Hammond
lovely
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Thank you.
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Love this! 🛶
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Thanks, it was a great day in the Azores…
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“Woman, kayak and ocean….” I can feel the exhilaration. The photo of the kayak, precariously perched atop the gigantic wave is an amazing capture.
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That was me, in 2016!
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You took me there I could feel the pulse of adventure. I prefer to kayak in still waters of a lake or river. Bravo for facing the wild waves.
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We had a local guide and tutor — would never have done it otherwise!
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I’ve never been in a kayak, but I felt the waves in this poem and the rhythm of the paddle, Kim, and I’d love to try it. There are places we could hire one to paddle around the Broads, when we are allowed. The lines that particularly grabbed my imagination:
‘Waves lift us and shake us, spray intoxicates as it spatters a face
Bright sun dazzles from wave tops and the open water beckons’.
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Thanks Kim.
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Wonderful
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Thank you!
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Beautiful and freeing!
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Yes, it was!
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This sounds like so much fun. I like the last line.
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Thanks Ali!
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