I’ve finally found time to join the circle of poets at the dVerse Poets Pub again, and I’m so delighted. Writing poetry makes me feel alive and in touch. Today’s prompt was based on Chaucer, a fave of mine, as he was so lyrical and bawdy, so human, vulnerable and cynical. You can find the prompt here: The Roundel ~ Circling back the Chaucerian Way.
I chose to do a variation of a couple of poems that are very meaningful to me, and here’s where I landed.
Ocean Winds Shaped the Days We Kept (Perfect Childhood Poem)
It wasn’t all the salt and sand and shore,
The best of it was simply being alive,
With ocean winds that shaped the days we kept.
Not sea-bean hunts along the tide once more,
Nor kites we launched into those endless skies;
It wasn’t all the salt and sand and shore,
The best of it was simply being alive,
Not sandcastles we guarded like a fort,
Nor body-surfs through breakers crest to crest,
Nor crabbing runs with chicken on a cord;
It wasn’t all the salt and sand and shore,
The best of it was simply being alive,
With ocean winds that shaped the days we kept.
The poems I based this on are:
And:
If you have read this and enjoyed it, I urge you to go find the other poems from the dVerse crowd that were written in response to this prompt. They’re pretty awesome. Find then here: dVerse poems.
© 2025, Glover Gardens
Kim, as a water baby your poem resonates so well with me. I’m glad you have found some time for dVerse <3
Thank you, Lisa – so glad we have that in common! Water baby life is indeed unique.
You’re welcome.
I love how it starts with negating the sea, still it plays such an important role to the point it might really negate the negation.
Yes, Bjorn, you “get” me!
yes your poem captures the essence that lies behind the memories – when being alive was something felt in breath and bone – very lovely Kim
Thank you so much, Laura, your affirmation means a lot to me.
I love the way the title sums up your poem, Kim, and you give us a breath of fresh air, all the fun of the beach, and then remind us that ‘the best of it was simply being alive’.
Thank you, Kim. Those lighthearted days continue to inspire me.
Beautiful poem of childhood 🙌
Thank you so much!
Between the repetition form of the Roundel and your repetition of the negation, this is so effective, Kim…
Thank you; I’m having a good time weaving the themes of some of the poems together and playing with the idea of doing a Beach Childhood collection of poems (with a catchier name). dVerse has inspired me to write more poetry these past few years that I’ve been participating (when I can).
Ocean Winds Shaped the Days We Kept ~ the title of your roundel set the stage for each lovely line that followed.
Thank you, Helen. I can still smell that salt air.
I like the happy memories that your poem speak of and evoke in the reader as well.
“Ocean Winds Shaped the Days We Kept” a perfect title for those wonderful days.