I wrote Ebb and Flow 2 in response to the W3 Poet-of-the-Week, Suzanne Brace’s prompt to create a waltz wave poem on the theme of Strength and Vulnerability. I love this poetry form!
When I wrote my poem, Ebb and Flow 2, for this week’s W3 Poetry Prompt #158, I had completely forgotten that, two years ago, I had written a waltz wave poem called Ebb and Flow. Though they have different nuances, both share the same title. Films do it—so why not poems? I’ve tried to think of another title—like Flow and Ebb, a reversal, but I don’t think it suits. So, until another title comes along, this one shall be titled, Ebb and Flow 2. I’m pleased to say, that despite both poems using the well-known phrase Ebb and Flow, at least I haven’t completely repeated the first poem! Then again, what is ebb and flow, if not a repetition of itself?
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it.” — Margaret Atwood
I hope you enjoy my waltz wave poem on the theme of strength and vulnerability.
Ebb and Flow 2
ebb
and flow
ebb
and flow
against hard rock
smoothing
stone
wearing
rock away
ebbing flowing
back and forth
moving
in-
-exor-
-ably on
flowing
on
and on
and
Lesley Scoble, May 2025
The Waltz Wave
The Waltz Wave is a single stanza poem of 19 lines, with each line having a set number of syllables. The syllabic pattern is: 1/2/1/2/3/2/1/2/3/4/3/2/1/2/3/2/1/2/1.
Leo Waltz is credited with creating the Waltz Wave poetry form, which is known for its rhythmic, flowing structure.
Acknowledgements
Enormous thanks to Suzanne for her inspiring poetry prompt.
My undying gratitude to David, The Skeptics Kaddish, for his encouragement and motivation.
My heartfelt gratitude to you, the reader, for taking time to read my poem.
To find out more about the W3 Poetry Prompt, please follow the link below.
LesleyScoble.com 
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