Freedom of the Sunrise Surfer
In the half-light we can breathe,
barefoot on cold sand,
as mountains beckon,
and pull us from land,
into cold embrace,
to live free with pounding hearts,
souls at play,
on the turbulent face.
—-Neil Bason, posted at All Poetry (2014)
Dick Dale, ‘Summer Surf,’ title track from his 1964 album, composed by Steve Douglas
A Smaller Galaxy
Sitting on a board
Ready to stand and catch my first rush
But alas, I stumble, distracted by the brighter star
Falling to the sum of all my parts
As the power of the moon taunts me with it’s force
Tossed in one direction
Pulled in the next
Crystal Blue Persuasion washes away my nightmares and inhibitions
And I am set alight.
—Bellacorrina, posted at All Poetry (2013)
Dick Dale, ‘Glory Wave,’ from the 1964 album Summer Surf. Written by Jimmie Haskell (who produced most of Ricky Nelson’s classic hits) and William Dunham, this spiritual-based number was originally written for the 1964 beach party film Surf Party and was performed by Jackie DeShannon.
Surfer
waves crash as
you disappear in the swell
frantic search
and there you are
rising on a curve of froth
coming on at such a speed
the ocean is no longer separating
you and me
floating on a bed of salt
buoyancy and light
surround us like
the smiles all around
an unspoken agreement
carried on a soft breeze
how great it would be
if we never had to leave
—azurastar, posted at All Poetry (2010)
‘Dark Eyes,’ Takeshi Terauchi & The Bunnys. Japanese surf-rock from 1966.
Ode to Surf
Crashing wave, power, intensity.
Pushing me forward into the teeth of uncertainty.
Exhiliration over comes as i stand and,
For a moment i’m locked in a near perfect state of being.
My troubles fall away and,
I’m whole if only for a fleeting moments reflection.
My determination is made new,
I throw myself back through in my search for your salty perfection.
—thasource, posted at All Poetry (2009)
Jan and Dean, ‘Ride the Wild Surf,’ title track from the 1964 film directed by Don Taylor and shot in Hawaii in 1963 at a time of exceptionally large waves. ‘Ride the Wild Surf’ was written by Jan Berry, Brian Wilson and Roger Christian and peaked at #16 on the pop chart in late 1964.
Jan and Dean, ‘The Restless Surfer,’ from the 1946 Ride the Wild Surf album
The Web and Flow of Surfing
The adrenaline is the best,
hands steady, mind intent and curious.
I’m put to the test,
as I navigate my way.
As I surf, I’m always wary of the risks,
I hold my breath with excitement – don’t get sucked in.
The fun is never knowing what I will discover.
Just below the glassy surface, danger lurks.
Always fearing a crash, caused by some unknown predator,
or the chance that my power could fail at any moment,
catapulting me into a world of darkness.
In this sea filled with adventure,
I float lazily,
stopping occasionally to look at something,
and then moving on.
Summer is short and the days grow shorter.
Soon school will begin again,
and there will be no time for surfing.
With a click of the mouse,
my ocean of information is closed.
Stuck alone at home all summer,
at least I had surfing.
—SeaGreenGirl, posted at All Poetry (2014)
The Four Seasons, ‘No Surfin’ Today’ (1964), the B side of ‘Dawn’
