In case anyone has been wondering why I’ve not posted for quite some time, I’ve decided to put the bulk of my writing time toward a story I’ve been working on. Hopefully, the first draft of that will be completed in the next few months after which I might return to writing for onthefoothills.
That being said, something a friend said to me at breakfast the other day sparked a few thoughts and I wrote the following. It has only gone through a couple of brief revisions, so I beg pardon for its rough status. I hope you find it enjoyable, or at the very least, thought-provoking.
the ocean
Morning sun kisses the waves
A child wobbles in the sand
Arms spread wide
Laughter filling the air
Tide flowing across tiny pink toes covered in sand
Bright blue sky, and shortening shadows
A boy jumps in the ebbing foam
Floaties compressing his soft arms
He chases sandpipers searching for clams
He wades into the water and looks back (at his parents) with glee
Fluffy clouds appear on the horizon
Children chase and dive
A boy floats on the waves
He plunges under the tow and emerges with seaweed clinging to his shoulders
Calling his friend, they embrace the next wave
Triumphant sun embraces its zenith
Boys find board and boat
Nets are raised, games ensue
Races to the distant buoy
Skiing, diving, sailing in the open sea
Sliding west, the sun begins its long descent
Boys are men, boats are theirs
Voyages taken, treasures collected
Lands bought, houses built
Rings and dresses, docks and cribs
Shadows stretch across the sand
Men walk along the beach
Passing hoops, balls, boats, and buoys
Recalling past adventures
Making plans for times of leisure
Falling sun embraces distant waves
A lone man sits under an umbrella
Tilted glass dribbles out liquid
Chin resting on grizzled chest
Hoary ears deaf to children’s laughter
Maribeth Newland
November 5, 2023 at 2:21 pmI’ve missed your posts also but glad to read you are writing a longer work.
I really enjoyed the images in your poem. My intent and desire in my “tilted glass years” is to be racing that little boy with the floaties down the beach. : )
Rita Bevington
October 26, 2023 at 6:07 pmI love the phrases: child wobbling, chases sandpipers, sliding west, and falling sun. Watching my grand babies loving the ocean waves, playing in the sand, and collecting, with wonder, the eroded sea shells brought me so much joy this past week. The sunset, so filled with layers of pinks and oranges, while glorious to witness, also marked time – inescapable and unyielding.
Your poem is a beautiful expression of life – such a collection of moments.
Leroy Case
October 26, 2023 at 1:16 pmPoignant and it was particularly vivid, because at the end of the summer, I went to Hilton Head with family, and all the different generations were represented. I could literally see your poem in my mind’s eye from that trip. Thinking about the seasons of life produces a kind of melancholy and sadness in me.
Dr Don Lichi
October 25, 2023 at 8:29 pmHave missed the posts DPM
DAL
Rob
October 25, 2023 at 11:27 amGreat poem DPM. If I am reading it appropriately, I can certainly relate to the lone man with the tilted glass, chin resting, deaf to the laughter.