Back in September and October I took a couple of long walks. Actually, I take long walks regularly, but these two were particularly special, because they were out to sea – a mile and a bit out to sea, along the Busselton Jetty. This is a really magical walk, and well worth the time if you happen to be visiting my part of the world.
After the walks I sat down and wrote this poem, which I have finally got a round to editing, with the photos I took, into a video:
And here is the text version:
Jetty
A lovely feature of the jetty is that it has poetry displayed on it. Hoorah!
I’m a mile out to sea
But I’m not wet
The planks beneath my feet
Don’t rock and sway
with the waves
I’m a mile out to sea
And so is the gull
Perched on the railing
Watching me
Beady-eyed
I’m a mile out to sea
And down below
Dark water swirls
And swooshes
Singing ocean’s song
I’m a mile out to sea
And around me
Salty breeze
whispers the secrets
of places far beyond
I’m a mile out to sea
But in a moment
I’ll turn
And start the long walk
Back to land smiling all the way.
(Poem copyright Sally Murphy)
The reason I’ve chosen to share this poem today is because, after I did that walk, I made a decision. I was going to get training and swim around the jetty. Every year, there is annual jetty swim, and I’ve told myself for years that I would do it one day. So I registered, and started training. I joined my local Masters Swimming group and I trained some more. A lot more. At first I wasn’t sure I could get fit enough. Now I’m feeling reasonably confident. And, if I don’t make it, there are plenty of ladders. And I can try again next year.
Wish me luck. I’ll let you know how I go.
Have a great Poetry Friday. Please visit the roundup, hosted by Katie at The Logonauts, for lots more poetry goodness.
Wow, how inspirational! Thanks for sharing with Poetry Friday!
Since I love the beach and the ocean, I was totally involved with your poem. The video was great and it is wonderful that poetry is showcased at the jetty. I am wondering if you have a link to video (on YouTube) so I could post your video at my winter gallery, #WinterWonder17. While it is not winter by you, it is by me and your video shows a wonder. Let me know, Sally.
Yay, Sally!
What month is the jetty challenge?
Buoyant wishes for the training regime.
Just working at that sounds like a huge win.
I am intrigued with this lengthy walk out to see & the way the perfect words flow together on “paper” + in a video.
I want to come do that walk, Sally! The government should give you a little something for attracting new tourists 🙂 Good luck with your swim!
Wow! You are now one of my woman-swimmer heroes, right up there with Lynne Cox and Diana Nyad!
What a fascinating place (I had to go look it up for more information). Love your photos (especially the gull and the signpost) and poem!
Hi Sally, your poem is lovely. I enjoyed it even more hearing you recite it, and seeing the images! I’ve joined Poetry Friday just recently, and I look forward to visiting your poems again!
Sally, this is fabulous. Now I must go google this jetty. Why? Why at this place? So interesting. What a great goal of swimming it. You go girl! Can’t wait to hear that you’ve done it. Beautiful use of repetition in this piece. And, it’s lovely to hear your voice. Have a great week.
Best of luck, Sally! What an inspiring challenge that came about as you walked along the jetty.
This is wonderful, Sally! And I loved hearing your voice and seeing what a gorgeous place the Busselton Jetty is. Good luck with your swimming!
So cool, Sally. Best of luck to you!!! I’ve heard the ocean’s song and sea breeze whispers make great cheerleaders.
Simply lovely… great digital presentation. I’m very intrigued by the thought of “walking a mile out to sea.” It just goes against our sense of rightness. Reminds me of when I saw “the sun rising in the west” ( http://alicenine.net/the-sun-rose-in-the-west/ ). I think these ideas make a great pairing.
Beautiful– both the poem and the scenery. How fortunate you are to live in such a lovely area. I adore the sea, but we live hours away so I don’t get there very often.
Best wishes for your training and your swim. YOU can do it!
I wish you luck on your ocean striving. I hope you make it! Are you swimming it this Sunday?
I am petrified of water due to a childhood experience that I have yet to recover from. As much as I love the ocean, reading your poem left me holding my breath as I made my way out on the jetty with you. What a beautiful way you captured your walk with the addition of the video. You have my upmost admiration for your challenge of swimming the jetty! Good luck!
I enjoyed the combination of words, pictures and sound in your video. Good luck with the jetty swim!
I would take all of your cold and blustery here today, Sally. And Sunday, too, if that’s when you are swimming – a mile out to sea. #sogenerousofme
Oh, good luck, good luck, good luck! And as you say, the most important thing is that you made the commitment and took a risk – if you end up needing a ladder, well, that doesn’t minimize your achievement in any way! Mastering self-doubt is the real achievement!
Thanks Jane. Yes, self-doubt doesn’t have to be crippling.
I loved going on this journey with you, Sally. Seeing the sights and hearing your voice made it very special. I wish you the best of wishes preparing for the big jetty swim!
Thanks Linda. It’s going to be a challenge – especially since we’ve developed cold wintry weather unexpectedly.
Must say I enjoyed the poem Sally and what has blossomed from that initial experience. The digital presentation coupled with the written format gave me as a reader, choices..- I chose both. Good luck with your new swimming commitment.
Thanks Alan. It’s cold and blustery here today and I am making the choice to believe that it will be fine by Sunday 🙂