October 10, 2013 
If you go below
Squid Row
and highest, driest Pantry
holding breath and swimming slow
avoiding questing lamprey
blowing bubbles
tickling roe
whenever they are handy
squinching eyeballs
wiggling toes
as modus operandi,
pinching nose
& jiggling hose
attached above to fancy
tanks in boats
on H2O
you’re sure to have a dandy
—afterglow
plus shrimps you stowed
make appetizing scampi.
Me diving out at Santa Cruz island…mannnny years ago….
©Karen Robiscoe
Charron's Chatter 
Great poem, and I bet it was fun being underwater with the fish and the reefs and the life down there
the closest thing to Wonderland on earth. All the colors were so vibrant, and the tempo of life…fast but slow, muted but mighty…yeah, you could say I enjoyed it! 🙂
I would have loved that. Were you able to touch any fish or any other creatures?
seaweed mostly–this giganter ray swam right under me–I mean huge! 2x my size,,,and a couple seals….
oh right–and the shark from Jaws…;)
Wow. Did it scare you?
honestly? yes…it all got real, really quick–not that the Ray did anything, but it actualized just where I was–out of my element–in a way the seals and starfish and such didn’t.
yikes! I am scared of water! You brave gal! Here’s the quote I told you about ~ A glimpse beyond the veil tells us that the records of history do not end at death but continue to mark man’s unlimited achievements. Victor Hugo, with an almost spiritual X-ray, saw the possibilities after death:
The nearer I approach the end, the plainer I hear around me the immortal symphonies of the worlds which invite me. . . . For half a century I have been writing my thoughts in prose and verse; history. . . . I have tried all. But I feel I have not said a thousandth part of what is in me. When I go down to the grave, I can say, like so many others, “I have finished my day’s work,” but I can not say, “I have finished my life.” My day’s work will begin again the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. . . . My work is only beginning.”
Debbie–first thank you for taking the time to transcribe that gorgeous (said a la Salinger) quote here.
Then, at the risk of triteness, i have to say–that is deep. It is, and i also believe true, for all that poem’s sentiment. (the Bard’s prayer) My urban fantasy (under review or slush piles everywhere) deals with precisely that. What happens after you die. Because for sure we must go on. I mean, all these souls? It seems they have to go on…to evolve into the next stage…
I think of it this way kinda. You know how they say cats can only see blue and green? Whereas we see the rainbow–well, like that. Except we are the cats. We can’t possibly fathom anything beyond blue and green–but it is there. it is there…
and scientific fact: energy doesn’t die. It transmutes. As the daughter of a rocket scientist (favorite saying, no doubt) I like that that meshes…
This is all just such a narrow slice–but a goodly fan of the myriad thoughts i have on the matter. i am actually super curious about the next world!! And I feel an extraordinary tie to it still–a perception, mayhap, but i don’t wan;t to sound too nutty.
You are a cool person to talk to <<forgive preppie ending…
Yess Charron, yes this spirit never dies, it’s eternal matter that’s always existed! I believe and know this! Here’s something you’ll like too~ Thank you sincerely for talking to me Xo
http://www.ted.com/playlists/65/personal_tales_from_the_edge_o.html
Debbie. That was an awesome, inspiring–and utterly validating–video. I understand Jill! I, too, at key and wonderful moments, have felt the illusion of self dissolve, and enormous peace and content come over me–who is no longer there, but is now a “part of” this energy, this life force…yes. That state of bliss is the “other” state–although really, the human state is other. So many are firmly convinced of their individuality, when really, we are a global body, intrinsically connected–each person a “cell” in that body–all welfare contingent.
You are cool. We could sit and talk philosophy for hours, I think. I am a firm fan of Eckhart Tolle, Rhonda Bryne, and Don Miguel Ruiz–and of course, the master: Carlos Castaneda. My favorite book by him was the Power of Silence. he gives you so many secrets–example: death ifs ALWAYS over your left shoulder (or) to understand a tree–look at the spaces between foliage…it’s just like a key to transcending. And delves deeply into the concept of: intent. Right Intent (like the Buddha) Something I am always working on. Truly intending the best for everyone is a hard road to hoe, and examining one’s intent behind actions, an enlightening one.
Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Sooo happy you enjoyed Dr Jill, too! We definitely would have a smashing time together talking philosophy & life ! You would like the books THE FIELD & SUPER BRAIN. I’m so happy our paths have crossed ! Faithfully Deb