“The Sea” by Carl Price

Two years ago today in the early morning, Dad entered the presence of the Lord. In memory of him, today I am posting a poem that he wrote and would recite to my sister and me, mostly when asked. It is called “The Sea.” 

Each stanza begins with the same two words, yet there is no set meter or rhyme scheme. Therefore to me, the poem captures both the repetitious, patterned movement of the waves and the unpredictability of the sea. The poem feels like the ocean moving up and down, side to side, over and over again, yet with unexpected metaphor and imagery in each stanza. Best of all, the poem ends with peace and expectation with a word on how the sea is a "sanctuary" for those whom God made to dwell there. 


The Sea
​
The sea comes rolling in at dawn.
It is like a great army
Trying to take possession of what it owns
By flooding a vast area of sand and sea creatures to get it.

The sea is cold to the touch
With its blue mountains
Rising into the morning mist
Then reaching up and pulling down the sky.

The sea is an angry giant.
It can wreck a ship
Or flood a small town in an instant
Destroying life and property.

The sea is a playground for some
And a way of life for the ones who know it well.
But when the day is done,
And there are no more people or ships on its waters,
It becomes a sanctuary for all the creatures in it, until tomorrow.