The Clock of the Bay
This Otis Redding classic = the most epic love song
Love is not a place but a pace.... This track has always struck me as a love song.... I discovered why through this poem.
You wanna know something wild? Back in the day, I used to be a child. As soon as I cracked open this smile, I never looked back– ‘Cause I meant it. Ever since, I haven’t wasted time– I spent it. Yes, I paid attention, And it was a worthwhile investment. But you wanna know something real crazy? Before that, I was a baby. Born that way From then to now, I strayed over 2000 miles and somehow ended up on this bay. I wasn’t lost But I was looking Up When I saw the sun Set And I said “What?! This is real?!” Beauty gave me chills So I sat and I still haven’t left Ebbs and flows Highs and lows of the tides Day leads to night Moonlight hits my eye Lookin like a pizza pie. Gettin at my appetite— for its cheese please With crackers gluten-free Back to theeeeeeee Celestial charcuterie So much to discover In another Sunrise I keep looking Up The clouds parade and play charades. There, a butterfly kissin a big banana, With a mad monkey chasing it, Going apeshit, losing its manners. And is that a… heart A heart. I’m looking Up At ships, as they come and go, imagining what’s in that cargo Silicon chips from China? Car parts from north carolina? Olive oil de espana? And what are those sailors trynna Do next They look up And I wave Like the water taught me– Fully, unflinchingly, Fleetingly The ocean’s shown me It does not owe me– And in exchange, I own me And I choose to reside Alongside the tides They’re how I keep time, minutes come second best to the pull of the moon or monsoons Never questioned why Just felt destined and Blessed and yet tested I Tasted a hint of my best And I wanted seconds Is this why They call it the sea? Because being near it brings such clarity? I never gave up on life but I surrendered my forward motion to the cycles of the ocean I keep looking up At the horizon, golden, Soon the darkness will take hold and did I say Hold and Hold and… I raise my palms to the sky, squint my eyes, I cradle the sun and Let go Funny how the water contains such depths But all we see is what it reflects Hold… I rest my bones I can’t complain Again, I’m not owned or owed I’m a professional at investing my attention. It’s how I’ve kept life interesting. Accounting for all my blessings preventing me from getting old But on this day on this bay, I’m confessing As I watch these waves and they wash me clean, there’s a truth left at the bottom of my soul that I can’t unsee: Despite the sea breeze keeping me in good health, I’m sick of beholding this beauty by myself. It’s not a burden but it’s big– To be so full of awe can be awe-full If I can’t off-load with another soul After all, I’m human, humble, humanity courses through me, life’s beauty means so much to me I mean: how fucking awe-some To be so fucking awe-struck And so fucking un-stuck From life’s sticky icky but still able to enjoy the honey So sweet babee It makes me bumble And buzz and waggle and love I don’t ask much I’ve been looking up But lately, I’ve been looking in And I wonder What it would be like To share this wonder with another Deep down inside, I dare imagine you, my fellow water lover, On the other side of these tides Marvelling at the cycles of life, Expecting nothing and rejoicing in every delight, The way the light Refracts And the ocean flows We can laugh At the way it all goes. Just one thing To have One thing To hold Your hand In mine Beheld Be whole Your warm body At my side To soften the chill of the nights I know, I’m not owed by life But it would be so nice To be baptised in your arms While life goes by with the tides, You can hold me Not back Not down Just closely You’ll show me My body is holy Like the sea You’ll know me And that baby I used to be And that child who could see That life is more than time More than a line More than a point in space It’s a poem And love is not a place to be in But a pace– A metronome to call home. Is that why they call it the “sound”? Because these waves make me feel safe to say Take this hope, Which I’ve kept at bay For too long: for another soul To join me in this ocean’s song It’s not much But it’s enough Maybe that’s why I’ve been looking up
Do you feel the love? Keepin’ something at bay? Let me know in the comments, bae <3