The Personality of Waves
words + slideshow by Paul Ross
I’ve seen most of the oceans of the world from boats big and small, craft commercial and military. I’ve been in a submarine, dove the wall of a 2-mile deep sea trench in the mid-Pacific, watched whales in the Arctic and sunsets on islands, atolls and from shores distant and domestic. But not until recently did I stand at the edge of the ocean and notice that waves have personalities. Some are feminine and lap at or teasingly tickle the beach while others impatiently charge the shore in an alpha male display. There are lofty and proud rollers, menacingly dark gatherers who build and build, creating discomforting uncertainty with their indefinable limit and unfathomable purpose. Some are mere sighs of the sea; indifferently swelling and quelling as if to shrug or just take a momentary look around. Sibling rivalry waves, born of the same mother roll, will playfully clash into each other and collapse into sparkling foam. Stolid workman waves dutifully pound away at rocks in destruction zones even more permanent than those of the streets of New York. Still others are real sports: faking one way, breaking another and nimbly dodging surfers as if they were opposing football players. And there are golf waves with their long impressive drives decelerating to a controlled stop. How ‘bout those NBA ones? Taking their time moving down court, coolly surveying and assessing the scene before exploding in a sudden move.
Health-wise, there are asthmatic waves with long, labored and drawn- out aspirations. Neurotic waves indecisively fall apart in pieces, attempting a regroup even as other sections are curling inward.
Egocentric waves applaud their own performance.
Some are shy, don’t want to be noticed, and aren’t.
Professions are represented too: soldiers march forward in uniform forms; gymnasts spectacularly vault into the air over stones and dancers pirouette in swirling eddies.
Colors: Blue, Grey, Green, Brown, Homer’s “wine dark seas,” they sometimes match the nature of the enrobed waves and often independent of the underlying water’s traits. At night, electric silver fire moonflash.
Waves reflect, transmit or, in some cases, generate bioluminescent light.
But they go beyond. They transmute. With ever widening, concentric nesting circles that make sound visible, waves mirror the music of the spheres, responding to unseen planetary forces in a universe more vast than themselves.
As for waves interactions with us?--Waves can treat you like relatives: the loving uncle that strongly and gently lifts you up for a ride, or the nasty one that slapped you (hopefully when no one was looking). Mother waves rock and soothe. Grandpa waves repeat themselves almost endlessly and without variation. Family reunions can be boisterous or stormy with all vying to be noticed, overwhelming in the chaos they generate. In contrast, isolates can be off, alone, far out and lost, tormented and windblown, artistic, artful, unseen, sensitive, Zen Koans. While others, as if conscious of creating Summer memories, play nice.
Picture the perfect wave. Think about it. Observe it closely in your mind.
Who is it?
Paul Ross is a Santa Fe-based photographer and writer. See more of his work at www.globaladventure.us.
22 Comments | Paul Ross | Email Article | Share Article | Print Article | Permalink tagged beach, waves Nature, travel essay
Reader Comments (22)
wow, paul. i was with you and who knew this was brewing inside of you? it's poet paul.
Beautiful! I was right there with you, Paul. And I knew every one of those waves...except the luminescent one. Looking forward to seeing that kind some day.
Paul -
Loved this piece. I never thought about all the various kinds of waves before. Thanks for sharing this.
You've forever changed my wavey experience. Thank you! XOX
Thanks for reading the piece ...and going along on a memory ride.
This sent me dreaming of the sea! Your limitless talents amaze and delight!
Thanks for sharing,
Ellen
That was quite a day at the beach, Paul. Your prose washed over me, full of wonderful surprises. I'll never look at a wave the same way again. Read John Banville's novel, "The Sea" - he has nothing on you.
That was quite a day at the beach, Paul. Your prose washed over me, full of wonderful surprises. I'll never look at a wave the same way again. Read John Banville's novel, "The Sea" - he has nothing on you.
I'm still pondering the question: Who is the perfect wave for me? What wonderful images, both in words and in photos. Thank you.
Elyn
Great photos, Paul. I'm always blown away by your work, and the article goes nicely with the pics.
Paul, I love that you had time to really be with the waves and get to know them so well...I'm jealous. Wonderful imagery all around. Jeannie
Nice!
Beautiful thoughts and words Paul, thank you for sending it. What a blessing for all of us that you got to spend so much time watching waves.
Wow! Insightful perspective on a subject of unfamiliarity to this reader.
My father was a seaman. I am a desert rat.
You did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of waves with concise and poetic prose. Then next time I head to the ocean, I plan to bring this article so that I may look upon the waves from a new perspective.
As a desert rat, sand runs in my blood and I am drawn to the stark desolation of a good desert. This article gave me some insight into the draw of the water to my father and why the sea ran in his blood. Thank you.
Thanks again, everyone, for your kind words and deep understanding of what I'd thought merely a personal meditation.
As always, your ability to write and explain what you see and feel is
captivating. I am blessed to know you as a friend and hope you never
cease to bring into my life a wonderment of this world.
Shakey Walls
what did the sea say to the shore?
nothing - it just waved
Wonderful article. I walk near the ocean every day and now it will be a new experience. It's rare for an article to have that impact on me. Also, this concept, along with your world-class photos, would make for an amazing book.
It's true.
I've noticed this, but haven't thought much about it, and certainly not categorized it & put it into words.
A fun read Paul.
BTW, Godzilla the tsunami.
Oh yea ... very nice photos too!
Bravo, Paul!
This water work is inspired; you have imbued it with humor and the kind of visual and intellectual curiosity that is timeless. I can see it as fertile "ground" for a dance company...any one you choose, I would imagine, would find inspiration and endless choreography in your prose poem. Though Paul Taylor doesn't use poetry in his choregraphy, this would be my ideal match...or Moses Pendleton's Momix, and locally, Moving People Dance...speak with Curtis, Layla or Echo and see if they're open to it. Their loss if they pass this one up.
Write On, Bro,
Janet
WOW! I will never look at the ocean waves the same ... that is a big statement... but that's how I feel!
Thank you for such an incredible view on the waves I see often. To think that you were writing about the waves in my neighborhood! They were right in front of me, but I never chose to see them for who they really are.
I recognize the ones you saw... they are obviously 'regulars' :)
Thank you so much for a beautiful perspective!
Stacy