Empty Handed

Where are my words? Do they stir in some unknown lake, far beyond the landing where I stand? Why do they rest in the murky waters holding their breath, when I long to catch them? What bait would tease them to bite? I have strung my line with walks along the water edge, midnight reflections of tossing and turning, and deep conversations that lead downstream splashing the surface yet not flooding my appetite. Have you ever had a thought or feeling jump around in you, like a fish on a line, though impossible to pull up without it tearing loose ? Maybe I need to jump on a boat and set sails to the deep sea, or at least skinny dip in the silver lining of the moon! The fish are running and my nets are coming up with seaweed, and not the pearls I long to touch!

Photo: Clear Lake California, with an abandon dock.



Comments

23 responses to “Empty Handed”

  1. Seaweed can be very good for you. Don’t throw it away. Pearls come from that bit of sand in the oyster…

  2. Summer time and the living is easy! As the famous song goes
    Enjoy every golden moment.
    The days are fast and fleeting of summer.
    t’s summertime and the living is easy
    Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
    Your daddy’s rich and your mama’s good-looking
    Hush, little baby don’t you cry
    don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry
    no no no no
    don’t cry, don’t cry
    Summertime by Sam Cooke

  3. How are you? Did you ahve a good holiday?
    Have a great weekend,
    Maggie

  4. How are you? Did you ahve a good holiday?
    Have a great weekend,
    Maggie

  5. Oooh, been there…pulling up only seawood. Good thing it’s a BIG lake…’cause I know if I just keep fishin’, eventually I’ll catch something. 😉

  6. I know that feeling exactly. It’s nervewracking and disturbing for me. Sometimes there’s so much more going on in my heart and my head and I just can’t seem to find the words to get it out. But you seem to have found the perfect words to describe the dilemma.

  7. deirdre

    I know this feeling. Every day there are thoughts swirling, trying to form the beginning of something to write, and when I sit down to put them together they fly away. If I’m lucky they let themselves be caught.

  8. >Have you ever had a thought or feeling jump around in you, like a fish on a line, though impossible to pull up without it tearing loose?< Absolutely, and so much so that I started a new blog just to focus on those things. Wonderful picture Corey. Winter beaches, lighthouses, wooden docks on lakes, no people. My perfect world for relaxation.

  9. We all have ‘dry’ spells now and then, I know better than most… hold on to the line and keep fishing, you’ll catch gems soon enough. I need to call you, will we be able to see one another again before you leave? Perhaps a trip to Berkeley will bring the pearls up where you can see them…?

  10. ah yes, water is my love… It must be fun at clear lake… I was there with my family for a fishing trip when I was about 11 or 12 I think.

  11. Corey, I think you came up with a few “pearls” in the end. Lovely post, my friend. I like the photo too. Sigh. I miss Northern California!

  12. “What bait would tease them to bite?”
    I don’t know for sure but I have to think that baited words are mean little things. Better to let them come to you than try to draw them in with bait.
    Now, the skinny dipping thing sounds hopeful to me!

  13. Ha! I knew that was Clear Lake! Was it any cooler up there?
    I feel like I can’t grab any of my thoughts, lately. They just slip off the line…
    🙂

  14. girl, your seaweed is impressive!

  15. Your words, when cast out, always catch my heart! They bless me with reflective thinking and contemplation.
    You are gifted with words Corey.

  16. Jump in, a mermaid might be there to help you find your oyster!!

  17. have you tried a bottle of wine and a pink boa…sometimes they like you to flirt with them like that…

  18. And yet somehow you make a pearl anyways!

  19. i love being by the water, whether salt or fresh…the gentle waves, ebb & flow, the shimmering glow all mesmerizing me…

  20. Great photo! How much longer are you in CA?

  21. Your words are so poetic and beautiful, I think my mind has gone drifting in a daydream.

  22. Wonderful post and photo, Corey. With a few words you have expressed how I have been feeling for a while, often fearing that I may drown while trying to catch those elusive fish.
    I haven’t commented much recently but still reading, and loving, your posts 🙂

  23. Ann Helén

    This is so beautiful. I came over your site this morning.
    I love your post and pictures.
    I get really inspired. I’m looking forward to go to California in April and France this summer time.
    Have a nice weekend from Norway.

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