I’ve been working on this poem since Nigel came home with the beautiful sunset photos he took at St Clair in Dunedin. The St Clair’s piles date back to 1921 and are remnants of a double-row of posts that with the addition of planks formed a groyne to retain sand. Apparently southerly seas took sand away and easterly seas replenished it. Debate about the utility of groynes at St Clair has raged over much of the century and continues to this day! Nowadays the few remaining piles are old, weathered and rapidly disappearing – its questionable if any of them will be around in a couple of years for their 100-year anniversary. To learn about their history I read this ODT article
St Clair Beach, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

Survivors
— by Liz Cowburn
[piles’ perspective]
Sentinals of the sand,
we stand
Driven deep to defend
this beach
Regimental relics – we resist,
persist
Fight for footing! Look to the land,
the sand!
*****
[my perspective]
Battered, beaten by tidal terrors ‘the breakers’
— bowed but not cowed
Centred in a century’s swirling currents,
St Clair’s piles sink, subside…
Yet…
THESE SURVIVE !!!
Taken by Nigel
You might also enjoy another poem I wrote this summer to celebrate the return of delicious, ripe Central Otago cherries: Pop Goes The Cherry
Poem by Liz, photo by Nigel; Exploring Colour (2019)
Liz, I am so impressed. I was just preparing a post for tomorrow based on Nigel’s pictures and saw your poem. It is very moving. I love the phrase regimental relics, there is a stance of an ancient soldier in their appearance, once fighting strong, now clinging on to hold their place. Bravo!!! I’m trying to stay away to make it to midnight and avoid jet lag! Got home this morning at 11am after the flight from San Francisco, but it was so worth it!
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I’m glad you’ve had a wonderful time. The light in your photo-post is so beautiful. I remember enjoying the quality of that light when we stopped over a couple of times in LA. Those tall, tall palms! Thanks as always for your thoughts on my poem and now I’m so excited knowing that you’ll be posting something tomorrow! We’ll both look forward to your post very much!!
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Well done, Liz, especially the two perspectives. You should let out your inner poet more often.😊
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Thank you Tanja. It takes me a long time to draw out the thoughts and also to get the words together!
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But then it feels so satisfying to find just the right word, does it not?
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Yes it is very satisfying when it works out! I never used to write poetry because I didn’t even know how to begin. Now I’m just starting to learn how to bring a poem together. It can be insanely frustrating and time-consuming!
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Practice makes perfect. 😊
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Love the photos and the poem. Changing but still there.
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Thanks Louella! These few are just hanging in there.. for the time being!
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Beautiful words and photograph. Marvellous collaboration!
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Thank you Ali! I’ve been keen to do something beautiful with Nigel’s wonderful photos and now I feel satisfied that I’ve done them justice!
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Lovely Liz!!
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Thank you Jodi!
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I like the change in rhythm that accompanies the change in perspective…very effective!
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Thanks Ann! I was very keen for this one to come together as the photos made a strong impression on me, and I doubt the piles will be around that much longer!
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I like the changing perspective in the poem and your lyrical style,Liz. Bravo!
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Thanks heaps for taking the time to read and comment Mike! Really appreciate it knowing how busy you must be right now.
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A great poem to mark time. I like the clever rhyming structure. You do those old guardians proud.
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That’s really special Kay, thanks so much!.. you’ve made my day 🙂
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