Poem of the Week: 9.14.23

"Tide" by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira

TIDE

by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira

Crowded coastline, vacant beach house
Bluer blue, bioluminescence 
Scent of something washed away

I asked why 
a marine biologist told me how
tiny organisms drifting can
illuminate ocean’s nighttime umbra
but we rarely notice 
what occurs commonly 
where we don’t look 

I asked why
a beach bum told me where 
the waves go 
they always come back from
and go again

I asked why
a bonfire told me when 
we burn 
it all smells the same 

I asked why 
I asked 

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Oh, btw,

Happy 1-year birthday to Oliveira Poetry! 🥳🍻📚

Thank you for reading my poetry throughout the last year on Substack. Here’s to words, whimsy, and shrimp wontons.

Want to get my lil poetry blog baby a present? Find someone who should read more and force them to subscribe!!!

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Sup from San Diego!

I tried to get a picture of the bioluminescent waves at a La Jolla beach. I also tried to write a haiku with the word ‘bioluminescent’ in it. I got “Tide” instead.

A year ago I didn’t know what was becoming of my life and a year later I am moving into what feels like a new era of my own choosing. I have a lot of emotions and thoughts and words, but they will come. For now, I am enjoying the lull, the flow, and the short drive to the beach.

More soon. Got to brush my feet off.

Swimmingly, Ricky