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Laure-Anne Bosselaar: At the end of the Breakwater

The pelicans begin their morning journey—

so low into the waves’ furrows that there’s only

a feather of air between the water & their gullets.

Mist unbraids its ribbons from the palm fronds.

The tide sways the kelp back & forth.

.

Less than half a mile away, commuters rush past 

on the highway, their shush so like the swash waves 

as they die on the sands. Let the day open so wholly 

to light. Let me stand here, very still, my journey 

almost over.  Let the ocean silver all around me.


Copyright 2023 Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Laure-Anne Bosselaar is a Belgian-American poet, translator, professor, and former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, California. She is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently, These Many Rooms (Four Way Books, 2019).

Laure-Anne Bosselaar at a book signing in Santa Cruz, California, March 2023.

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18 comments on “Laure-Anne Bosselaar: At the end of the Breakwater

  1. Lisa Zimmerman
    May 22, 2023
    Lisa Zimmerman's avatar

    Oh, what a gorgeous poem, Laure-Anne ✨🌊

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Barbara Huntington
    May 21, 2023
    Barbara Huntington's avatar

    Ahh. Now I can comment. Earlier there was no keyboard. Why does my phone hate me? Oh, I still love this poem tonight. Tired after my longest day out in many months, I want to drift away in the last two lines.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Noelle Canin
    May 21, 2023
    Noelle Canin's avatar

    So much light in your poems Laure-Anne, that sense of the end of the journey, the silvering of the sea and stillness. As I travel the last years of my journey, exploring the feelings and sensations of this journey, your poems become more and more essential – so grateful for them and for you.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Susan Berlin
    May 21, 2023
    Susan Berlin's avatar

    Beautiful poem, beautiful poet.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Ellen Austin-Li
    May 21, 2023
    Ellen Austin-Li's avatar

    The moment captured with such poignance. Thank you, Laure-Anne! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Marty
    May 21, 2023
    Marty's avatar

    Another beautiful Laure-Anne poem!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. bigchenillemitt
    May 21, 2023
    bigchenillemitt's avatar

    Laure-Anne, a favorite person and poet. This is a beauty.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Bosselaar Laure-Anne
    May 21, 2023
    Laure-Anne's avatar

    Thank you, Michael & Susie and Jackie….

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Jackie Robb
    May 21, 2023
    Jackie Robb's avatar

    I am right there! Thank you for this poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Susie Cronin
    May 21, 2023
    Susie Cronin's avatar

    Love this poem!! Thanks for sharing it,

    Michael. 

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    Liked by 1 person

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