Kim Rodrigues Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

"You're gonna need a bigger boat." best scene in Jaws. The best scene of my life was my first experience at the ocean. I brought my grands recently, to the same beach, but the riptides were a bit too much. So that was their first experience. One of them was fourteen and was thrilled to think to live in such a way. This year he is a lifeguard. 

My daughter, not their mother, climbed the sand dunes of Oahu, trying to get away from the waves. Some love...some hate, but the ocean affects us all.

Happy Summer!

Jaws Just Turned Fifty

The salty wind tans my face, smile
for miles of shoreline. My feet ecstatic
to dip and go into the ebb and flow.
I didn’t know it then, how time flies;
so glad, so free, so liberating. Just
a child running into Melbourne arms.

She’s nine, this person I remember.
I only remember pure happiness.
It is addressed  E V E R Y  time
I hear the swoosh, feel hot sun,
smell the coconut air.  N E V E R

afraid of sharks, my cousins, lovingly
warned me of. I couldn’t have cared less.
All the foamy joy of the tides lifting me
higher and higher into ecstasy. Dance
of fluidity. Later, I’d watch Jaws, but
not for another five years…fearless,
collecting shells; Auntie Elaine still
living, telling me to glue onto velvet
Florida  F O R E V E R  keepsakes.

My granddaughters, would move
and swim in this space, I occupied
so many years before. I stand
knee deep, sandals kicked off,
while my daughter, and hers,
wait at the car. You couldn’t keep
me from this cherry picked memory.

The beachy wind in my face. Miles
and miles of shoreline. Coconut
and salt, swooshing of ebb and flow.
Jaws just turned fifty and I’m still
riding the highs of possibilities.

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Gail Debole July 6, 2025 at 12:20 PM Kim, Luckily, I have memories of being on a beach to savor - before watching "Jaws." So there was nothing to fear that I knew of that would spoil the experience. Some of my best memories. Your poem returned me to those times. Love your style. - Gail Kim Rodrigues July 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM So glad to hear it, Gail! Thank you!

Oliver Mckeithan July 1, 2025 at 12:13 AM Love it Kim. I can hear that music in my head from your poem. I was 23 when it came out. Time flies but the memories are still good. Like yours of the beach Kim Rodrigues July 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM I was 14 :)

Regina Elliott June 23, 2025 at 8:56 AM Beauteous write Kim. I grew up on Long Island and loved going to Fire Island and Montauk. I remember 50 years ago standing in a long line to see "Jaws". Quite a harrowing movie. One of the most moving parts of the movie was when Capt. Quint talked of the USS Indianapolis tragedy. Your poem is a FAV. xx Kim Rodrigues June 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM Oh thank you so much! Hugs

Sara Kendrick June 22, 2025 at 11:27 AM Creative work about getting older with children, grandchildren, etc. I remember jaws which was a very scary movie to me. Well, even say terrifying movie. I prefer not to go in the ocean anymore except maybe to wet my feet and that would be enough. LOL..Sara K Kim Rodrigues June 22, 2025 at 7:44 PM It is always possible. Be ready for warnings. Perhaps we get more fearful as we get older. Hugs and thanks!

Gershon Wolf June 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM Gotta share this with you. I read the title, 'Jaws Just Turned Fifty,' and thought: 'Hmm. Kim is now, gulp, 60. How is it that her jaws have just turned 50? Did she refrain from speaking for 10 years? lol. Oh, well. Amusing musings, Gershon Kim Rodrigues June 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM If you knew me well, well you would know I do jabber on. Perhaps those first 15 years (I was shy) were a little quieter, but no one would accuse me of that as I inch toward 65. A senior in high school…nay, a senior citizen (now is that anyway to speak to me) LOL!

sara Etgen-Baker June 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM I enjoyed the reflective nature of this personable poem. There's something almost alluring about the beach and the ocean. enjoy your weekend, yellow rose Kim Rodrigues June 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM Yes, it has a healing power! Hugs and thank you, dear one!

Paula Goldsmith June 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM Your "Jaws Just Turned Fifty" is a creative/fun write. Love It... "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a fun/blessed day writing away............... Kim Rodrigues June 21, 2025 at 5:32 PM Thank you, Paula! Have a fun time writing, my friend!

Paige Hind June 21, 2025 at 9:02 AM Some beautiful memoirs. Like how time fast-forwards and goes back- a really awe inspiring piece, dear Kim Kim Rodrigues June 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM Thank you, my friend!