Best Boardwalk Poems
I
when the world had no headsets
the sunbathing crowd
fell asleep to the sounds of
transistors played loud
while the deckchairs and windbreaks
kites, beach balls and more
formed the stripes, lines and circles
that painted the shore
and the longer I walked
on the sand to that sea
the more the sea seemed
to get further from me
and the crunch in my mouth
was that one grain of sand
in the sandwich I ate
with my sand covered hand
while the lemons and melons
and plums I'd watch spin
would stop short of a cherry
one click from a win
and the postcards we sent
from the end of the pier
had us writing such half truths
as "wish you were here."
II
from the end of the pier
through the stiff breeze
and spindrift
I can still hear the tunes
of the promenade bands
and I can still see the stripes
of the deckchairs and windbreaks
and the box kites
and beach balls
that painted the shore
and I can still taste
the butter
- warm like the canned ham
and the crunch of that sand
in the sandwich I had
and I can still hear the djs
laughing and talking
spinning hits of the sixties
from transistors
played loud
and I can still smell the onions
frying wild in the fairground
to the sound of the claxons
and the lemon. click. orange. click. melon.
click. click.
and I can still breathe the deep smoke
swirling in sand dunes
from the benson and hedges
and
player's no.6
and I can still see those grown ups
staring at mirrors
- their bodies distorted
like the dreams
they once had
today on the pier
the rain that's now falling
falls from a same sky
on a same sand
and same sea
and a same me
- yet this air
this air
is not the same air
as that air I
once
breathed.
~Echoes of Yesterday~
Walking on the Boardwalk
on a hot, steamy, summer day.
In a two piece rose bathing suit,twas decades ago!
I was only seven and seeing the Atlantic,
for the very first time.
I loved the waves, oh !
I bought a dear bracelet that I still own.
With silver circular disks and sailboats in
each glistening so!
The salt water taffy was like manna from heaven.
To this French-braided young girl, only of seven.
Nobody dressed as oddballs or freaks I see today!
Not one person, a walking crayon nor a billboard
proudly,displaying a shirt with hate.
Kindness ,good manners, respect were forever in play.
And, tragically, I can't say the same for today.
So forgive me, if I truly don't understand this God hating,
negative, lost world.
My mind hungers for the once present sanity,
the love, the humanity and the lost sweetness.
Of a salt water taffy world.
June 30,2019
Noon PST
The Atlantic City boardwalk is a lonely place to be
when it's early morning just after three.
The stores are all closed, and the beaches are clear.
Just look around and you won't see another soul near.
At this hour, nobody wants to roam.
Everybody is in their hotel rooms, or gone home.
In the casinos, a few unfortunates are stuck.
They fruitlessly continue to try their luck.
Well, I'm an employee, and my shift is done.
I'm going home a few hours before the rise of the sun.
SLOW MOVEMENT
Move out from tall trees - to wider scene now
Tympanic rhythm - andante theme
As footsteps beat on - path of the Ash beam
In diverse prospect - wet levels gleam
Look to the surface - life is reflected
Now mirrors brightening - skies cerulean
See over there the - new view surveyed now
Past tawny grasses - strewn by wind laid
Birch saplings dapple - hazel and apple
Amber the dry fern - dashed now with jade
Where silver stems - surround sun-bright vale there
Small stream descends in - glistening cascade
Over above In - slow closing distance
Land rises to - overlook languid fen
Our destination - draws our steps on to
Reach barrow slopes - fields of wider ken
So measured pace continues ‘til then
While spirit moves to hilltop ascend
All of the summer tourists have gone away.
Only a few residents like us will stay.
Here we are on the New Jersey shore.
The boardwalk, sand, and surf are what I adore.
It is winter now, and quite cold outside.
I still love the scenery, and I can't stay inside.
Entrance into the cold ocean waves I don't dare.
I can still take in the crisp, salty air.
There are many seagulls flying around.
They are making their laughing-like sound.
Yes, you can see there remains much activity,
That's what you can expect if you live near Atlantic City.
My Silver top hat and my Boardwalk card are missing.
This happened to my cousin.
It is only a matter of time until this gets discovered.
By the time it does it will be too late.
I am going to try to contact prissy woman
With telepathy.
Look under the couch,
Look under the couch!
Uh-0h.
Vrrrrmmmmmmmm
There goes my Boardwalk card.
I will be replaced now.
Competitive Man’s favorite
Property is Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk
Whistles, jeers
Unrelenting young men
Ladies in swimsuits sigh while passing by
Screams from the Wild Mouse
Creaking ominously against summer skies
What happens if it fails to make that turn?
Spinning wheels, colorful trophies
“Step right up and try your luck!”
“Come on, Dad, it’s just a buck.”
Children’s laughter
Fun House draws a youthful audience
Mom and Dad slurp snow cones outside
Buzzing overhead
Plane with trailer invites diners:
“Sample succulent fare at Oyster Pad”
Honking trams
Make room for commuters
Who heckle pedestrians
Pounding surf
Lovers entwine beneath the wooden planks
Whispering promises of eternal affection
Cooing pigeons
Stalk the waffle stand
Wings flutter when bounty’s found
Yawning toddlers
Mothers cradle in their arms
Dads wearily tote huge, stuffed bears
* for the Sounds of Summer challenge
This guy on the boardwalk is basically a tramp.
He makes as much money as a pickpocket in a nudist camp.
Since his last bath or shower, it’s been at least a week.
Don’t get too close to him. He certainly does reek.
This bum will ask you for change for a cup of coffee.
In desperation, he will do just about anything for money.
Whatever the guy says to you, it’s bound to be mendacity.
He may ask you for a few bucks to go back to New York.
To tell the truth, the dude is just a local dork.
If you give him a few dollars, do you know where he will go?
The tramp will take your money and run back into the casino.
On the boardwalk, skies and waters a majestic blue
On the boardwalk it’s me and you
Together hand in hand.
Together we just bought this square of land.
Monopolizing from
People who landed to hear the wave’s drum
People who landed to hear the ocean rumble
Making it last.
So this game doesn’t go to fast.
Richer by the time
People land on the boardwalk and pay a little more than a dime.
This is the boardwalk palace.
This boardwalk for my king.
And I shall be your Queen
On the boardwalk, skies and waters a majestic blue
On the boardwalk it’s me and you
Together hand in hand.
Profiting more than money from this land.
More than beauty, riches, and power
But the one thing that really towers
Love
And the memories
On the boardwalk, skies and waters a majestic blue
On the boardwalk it’s me and you
Together hand in hand.
(FOR CONTEST ENTRY)
Scottie dog–Vienna Bombardieri
Iron–Richard Palmer
Race car–Destroyer~Poet
Thimble–Anne Lise Andresen
Top hat–Brittany Caldwell
Horse and rider–Skat
Shoe–Alicia Lorraine Mathes
Wheelbarrow-Christina Vasquez
Banker- Joe Flach
Police officer-Nancy Jones
Monopoly Person- Carolyn Oclaire
Sun leathered skin, tanned and flayed
lies draped over the bench’s wooden slats.
A long-forgotten art brought back to
lack-lustre life
along the boardwalk.
•
This wrinkled pre-aged skin,
pricked in not so neat lines
each track a stop on the journey
that brings their nodding half-lives
to the boardwalk.
•
The coke and ice-cream hit, not for their
uncared for, condemned kids
but to feed a sugar rush,
stave off that comedown
on the boardwalk.
•
Thick syrup methodone, a sop
to replace the brown heroin
that once kissed their veins,
kicks in as they shadow walk
to the boardwalk
•
Calloused, cracked skin spreads
factor 50, to protect the delicate
casing of their ravaged organs
as they lie, replete,
along the boardwalk.
The streets by the beach keep moving you toward the sunny side of the sea.
Where people in hordes strut on the boards sniffing at foods on the breeze.
And all the young boys are flexing around for all the young girls too see.
And everyone's hot, and everyone's got what it takes to be happy and free.
The heat from the beach drives you on toward the coolest side of the town.
Where people park cars and drift into bars after the sun has gone down.
All the young guys are dreaming up lies for the hot girls who are easily found.
And every bright smile is designed to beguile someone else into fooling around.
Chorus:
Oh, the shore is the place to paint on a face,
get bathed in perfume or cologne.
yes, the shore is the place with that fabulous pace,
when you're hot and just can't be alone.
The band at the beach is pounding it out tuned to the throb in your chest.
so, you dance, and you shout cause that's what it’s about when everyone's looking their best.
Then a girl over there gives you the stare. Looks like she could be miss right.
you say something nice, but she gives you the ice and you know it won’t be tonight.
Chorus:
Oh, the shore is the place to paint on a face,
get bathed in perfume or cologne.
yes, the shore is the place with that fabulous pace,
when you're hot and just can't be alone.
You left your home up north in Toronto.
The first place was the other side of Lake Ontario.
Nothing was shaking much in Buffalo.
Further to the southeast you would go.
Trying out New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC,
the final bus stop would be in Atlantic City.
Hustling and survival were learned very quickly.
Filling out job applications was a waste of time.
With closed doors of opportunity, you turned to crime.
Up and down the boardwalk you go day and night.
To some lucky roller, you become a delight.
ENSEMBLE
Oh when the days seem long, and when the sun shines bright
We step out the door, and stand in the light
We walk down the street and go around the corner
The sun is shining brighter, and the day is getting warmer.
Down by the boardwalk
We’ll be having some fun
Down by the boardwalk
You should come join along
Down by the boardwalk
We’ll be dancing all day
Down by the boardwalk
C’mon you know the way
To the boardwalk.
MAYOR FREDERICKSON
Ahh, what a beautiful day. A day to be out and about. What do you say, Officer Johnson.
JOHNSON
Oh, I couldn’t agree more, mister Mayor.
MAYOR FREDERICKSON
Gosh, we are so blessed to have a day like this, not too hot, not to cold, but good enough for
a day at the beach.
JOHNSON
If only I were off duty.
MAYOR FREDERICKSON
(Spoken) I’ll tell you what Officer Johnson
(Sung) When the wind hits your cheek and the sun hits your skin
Its oh so clear, to know that the water is where we should be.
When the clouds divide, and the sun starts to shine
We race down to the boardwalk, and dive in.
ENSEMBLE
Down by the boardwalk
Laying in the sun
Down by the boardwalk
Down the street we will run
Down by the boardwalk
We’ll be having a blast
Down by the boardwalk
Join in while it lasts
Fun on the boardwalk.
ENRIQUE
Enrique’s flower shop is now open for business!
ENSEMBLE
Today, we celebrate the sun and heat
Today, is not like any other, it cant be beat
Today, we pray will never come to an end
We’ll pay a visit to the boardwalk, with friends
Down by the boardwalk
ENRIQUE
Stepping into the sun
ENSEMBLE
Down by the boardwalk
JULIO
We’ll be having some fun
ENSEMBLE
Down by the boardwalk
JOHNSON
I’m stuck on duty all day
ENSEMBLE
Down by the boardwalk
FREDERICKSON
Patrol the beach all day
ENSEMBLE
Down by the boardwalk. DOWN BY THE BOARDWALK!
shrimpburger boardwalk
embracing paradise found
kissing freedom's breeze
Beyond the Boardwalk
Narrow slats of wood, ticking time
step by step, gap by gap
follow the rhythm, and the rhyme.
Inside the lines, its safer here
follow the rest, stay on the map
eyes straight ahead, the path is clear.
As if on rails, locked to this course
has free will abandoned me?
maybe it's time to revisit the source.
Beyond the boardwalk, now I will tread
free of betrayal, beguised as friends
along my own path I will travel instead.
Stoic