Find yourself in the sea

July 13, 2007 in Uncategorized

My course on humor ends today at 5pm. At, oh, say, 5:01pm, I’ll be heading to the beach. And so, a poem from e.e. cummings in celebration of a few days at the sea:

"maggie and millie and molly and may"

maggie and millie and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn’t remember her troubles,and

millie befriended a stranded star
who’s rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.”

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

6 comments to " Find yourself in the sea "


Viaggiatore

July 13, 2007 AT 4:55PM

oh!! how beautiful, this poem! perfect today as my other half came back last night after a 5 day trip to the oregon coast, and he excitedly thrust into my hands the most beautiful beachglass and driftwood and a thinking stone… and whispered between kisses, ‘i had such a nice trip because i remembered how much i miss you.’

he was out playing at the seaside with maggie and millie and molly and may,
but he found himself and his heart in the ocean, and i’m the girl he came home to. yay!

Kikipotamus the Hobo

July 13, 2007 AT 5:26PM

As of 25 minutes ago, I am an unemployed bum. This poem was a fantastic way to get me in the mindset for enjoying this hiatus. Thank you.

Tori

July 13, 2007 AT 6:03PM

My heart sings when I am near the sea.
This poem is lovely and I am glad you shared it.
Enjoy your time there!

Lill

July 14, 2007 AT 3:47PM

Serendipity. I followed writing links from several other sites, looking for markets for personal essays, and found you at Skirt. e.e. cummings is one of my favorite poets and this is a lovely poem to take with me next time I visit the ocean. Thank you for sharing and I’m glad you enjoyed the ocean on your side of the country.

Shine On,
Lill

Joy

July 14, 2007 AT 11:52PM

That was an incredible poem and perfect for summer. Thanks for sharing it and I hope you’re having an amazing time teaching and learning!

Debra Roby

July 15, 2007 AT 10:52AM

This is one of my favorite cummings poems, and I’d forgotten it completely. Thank you. I’m heading to the ocean tomorrow.. will have this to keep me company.