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The Beach

The Beach There was one spot upon the hill where when the sun was just right, and you got up real early, you could see the ocean. Just a glimpse of it as the sun bounced its morning yawn across the bay. It seemed a million miles away, that strip of salty coolness glimmering in the distance. We had gone there once, riding busses with the windows open, the smell of city pouring in and the thrill of mystery and adventure building. The slender strip of ocean now become the suitor of horizon’s hand, hot grainy sand to sift between the toes and waves, Oh man the waves, that slapped against hot skin causing shocking shrieks and shivered smiles. The taste of salt licked slowly from the last French Fry, the feel of sand and stone in tickling erosion beneath the feet, the touch of drifting seaweed, the tightness of fresh salted, drying skin. Shared sandwiches and Kool-aid raised to gourmet grade by scented breeze off ocean waves. Hot seats on stifling bus and fast asleep, a stone to hold, a memory to keep. The spot will e’er remain the keyhole that I peek through at a day, one day, when we were there, the sun, the sea, the air, and me. John G. Lawless 2013 submitted to – Summertime Fun – Poetry Contest sponsor – Debbie Guzzi

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 6/3/2015 6:30:00 PM
John, such a wonderful sentimental write with longing and had me along for the ride...
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Date: 6/1/2015 11:59:00 PM
John, congratulations on your awesome summer time win. ~SKAT~
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Date: 6/1/2015 3:50:00 PM
Love your awesome memories of your time spent at that long-for beach during childhood days, John. Such a nostalgic feel in your words. Congrats on your nice win. Sandra
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Date: 5/29/2015 6:50:00 PM
This evokes great memories of fun times at the beach growing up, John! You captured the memories well. A 7 from me :)
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Date: 5/29/2015 9:08:00 AM
I can relate. Great words that brought feeling with them, thanks.
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John Lawless
Date: 5/29/2015 9:30:00 AM
Appreciate your stopping by to read and comment.
Date: 5/29/2015 8:34:00 AM
I love this poem! My wife and I would pick up one round white stone for each outstanding walk on the beach. We had a place at the Cape for a few years and are now back in NH, with a huge bowl of white rocks! Your narrative takes me back. The keyhole analogy is super. I think it was Elliot who said "These fragments I have shored against my ruin". A 7.
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John Lawless
Date: 5/29/2015 9:30:00 AM
Hey Richard, thanks for the high mark, glad you enjoyed the poem. We lived in the city and when the wind was just right you could smell and taste the salt air rushing inland. Unfortunately it always seemed an unreachable destination.
Date: 5/29/2015 8:27:00 AM
Hey John, stopped by for a visit. This is a wonderful poem filled with lush imagery and sweet memories of summertime fun. Beautifully expressed. Best wishes in the contest! Be Blessed, Neva
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John Lawless
Date: 5/29/2015 9:27:00 AM
Thanks Neva for stopping to read and comment. Glad you enjoyed the trip to the beach

Book: Shattered Sighs