Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Tidal Pull

small trumpeter waves wash ashore
the sea grins with ease
children scamper on the beach 
                                like search lights that never rest 
                                                                in one place
buoyant surf beckons, 
               gravitational pull to choppy splashes

skin bronzed children rush the waves, 
                                       an explosion of liberation
                        their squeals to rival passing gulls
theatrics to run in and out of cold
    as hot rays of sun melt reserve
    instant sheen of glee
till frozen toes dig into warming sand

childhood innocence pristine
                         like polished shells on a shelf
                                in pink-white shades
                                spiraled secrets
                                of the surf spilling
                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

safe ashore
soothing presence
         adults watching 
                     the fresh faced playfulness 
aged side-step from currents' undertow
                     to sense risk 
                     from surf surges that toss one to the beach
                     lives in a rising swell
                                     wounds of immersion
                                     the burden of seasons
                      
                     July's brooding heat of sentiment 
                     to recall untroubled times
                     a tide into memory
                     when memory resists waves
                     like castles fortified in sand

                     till gulped by the sea




Poem composed: June 9/2022
Revised December 19th/2022

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Juliet Ligon January 11, 2023 at 10:06 PM I like the way you gave the same scene two different perspectives-- one of the playful children and the other of the adults watching. The waves and sand make me think of change and not being able to undo or relive the past. Brian Sambourne January 13, 2023 at 9:15 PM Greetings Juliet, Your comments are spot on. I hoped to achieve contrast + variations on the sea through childhood + adult eyes. Perspective is often a matter of time, experience, circumstance. Thank you for your fine insights. Cheers, Brian

Valsa George August 27, 2022 at 8:28 PM "skin bronzed children rush the waves, an explosion of liberation/ their squeals to rival passing gulls" Such lively and vibrant images of children frolicking with the waves on the beach. The poem is full of such animated word pictures. Enjoyed your poem much, dear Brian.... Brian Sambourne August 28, 2022 at 4:25 AM My appreciation, Valsa, for your stop by + affirmative take on my poem that veers between child + adult perspectives. The concluding view of sand castles swept into the sea conveys loss - not a popular subject. Best wishes always. Brian

Sara Kendrick July 18, 2022 at 12:17 AM I like the descriptive lines in this one. Reads like a fun day at the beach enjoying little ones having fun. Sara Brian Sambourne July 18, 2022 at 5:39 AM Thank you, Sara. Two different perspectives presented here from innocence to experience when a tidal pull impacts children + adults in different ways. Thank you for your stop by. Cheers Brian