Mark Toney Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

'The Georgia coast is geographically the westernmost point of any Atlantic coast region, and part of the area known as the South Atlantic Bight, the coastline that curves from Cape Hatteras, NC to Cape Canaveral, FL.  St. Simons and Jekyll Islands are at the inward-most point of the South Atlantic Bight and thus experience the most severe tidal ranges of 6 to 9 feet. The Atlantic Ocean's tidal range, miles offshore, is just 2 to 3 feet.' —National Park Service | Fort Pulaski (nps.gov/fopu/learn/nature/hydrology.htm)

St Simons Island, Georgia USA
East Beach, 12/4/2011

Sand Bar

Sand Bar


"Your focus determines your reality." —Qui-Gon Jinn

Witnessing an
amazing low-tide
phenomenon,
as if a walkway to
a parallel world
has suddenly appeared,
extending one-half mile
from East Beach
out to sea

People are slowly
gathering, walking, stopping,
stooping, staring in silence,
speaking softly—
I'm as eager
as Simon Peter
to join them, yet
somewhat afraid of
walking where
there has been
only seawater
minutes before—
Chattering dolphins
beckoning in the distance
instill confidence

So I join them,
stepping from the
beach onto the
other-worldly terrain,
first 42 steps confirming
we are not alone!
Surrounded by
a menagerie of 
sand crabs, clams,
beach flea amphipods,
sea roach isopods,
ghost, hermit, and 
fiddler crabs, even 
cannonball jellyfish—
shades of the
Mos Eisley Cantina
on Tatooine
in miniature

But beware of
semidiurnal 
tidal cycles!
Twice a day
at high tide
the sea, like an
unstable vortex
of a Chappa'ai,
consumes the 
phenomenon,
even the beach itself,
to the edge of
the dune


"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience." —Frank Herbert

"So long and thanks for all the fish!" —Exiting dolphins' farewell message, translated by Douglas Adams

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Craig Cornish July 4, 2023 at 12:15 PM Wonderfully portrayed - I was on a American cruise lines from Jacksonville through the Golden Isles to Charleston a few years ago - a special journey Mark Toney July 4, 2023 at 2:41 PM Hi, Craig. I can imagine it was a special journey. Thanks for sharing and for taking time to leave such an encouraging thought.

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri May 31, 2023 at 12:11 PM An awesome beach sights poem and wow to how you could spot and name all those creatures.! Creatively presented i enjoyed this fab muse lots. Kudos!!  >>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<^^^^^^^^>>>>>>>><<<<<< Plz also read and comment my newest poem Mark Toney May 31, 2023 at 12:56 PM Thank you, S.zaynab, for your encouraging comment and visit. I'm headed your way now. :)

Paul Willason May 21, 2023 at 2:34 AM Sounds an intetesting place to visit and your poem captures the drama of this unique tidal flow. Water, tides, beach, the variety of inhabitants....all come together. Home base for me. Mark Toney May 21, 2023 at 2:29 PM A spot-on summation, Paul. This was my first time experiencing such an event on vacation back in 2011. I appreciate your taking time to read and comment.