The wave rose
Higher and higher
Triumphant, belligerent
Invincible, feeling confident
Higher and higher,
Striking in the hearts
Fear and wonder,
Inspiring awe
'Never seen such a one
Ever in my life!'
Gasped the people
With popping eyes.
Wonder acted like a string
Tying them, despite
Fear giving them wings
Ready any instant to fly
The wave rose to its peak
And then the fall began
It took many in its fold
But finally vanished without a sign
Though memories
Of this and others
Higher and smaller
Before and after
Became legends
To be repeated
Several times
Amplified, exaggerated
Of that wave or the others
There remained no sign
For they had merged forever
Into the vast ocean
Indistinguishable
From the field of waves
Attempting to achieve
Those heights great
Another will rise again
In its place, no doubt
But it will merge too
And remain but in thought
The fame and name
Last a little longer
But will that make
The wave immortal?
Then the name too
Will be forgotten
The tides of time
Erasing it forever after
But in everlasting hope
Rise again it does
And though dashed
On the cycle goes
Rise and fall
Is part of it all
And on and on
Go on, it shall
Till the water
Seeks the depth
And remains content
Basking in glory great.
