We pick up shells from the seashore
Salt on our lips
Hungry for the cool lemonade
It waits in the bag we carefully prepared
We take our shoes and socks off
Dabble our toes in the cool salty water
The horizon is clear
For one fleeting moment all is well
When the sky becomes heavy we trudge back in the sand
It sticks to our feet
You light a cigarette
I delve into the bag
Drink small sips of lemonade
Try not to think of the scratching sand
My head whirls unused to being outside the confines of home
Home
That's what I will call it
I slip the shells into my pocket
I will remember this day
The highs and lows
The ebb and flow of the tide
Most importantly I will remember you.
I love this poem and am happy you have such memories, my friend. I am heading to the farm again tomorrow for medical tests, will e you from there.
ReplyDeleteClear memories of the seashore, Jae. Collecting shells is the best thing. I love the sensory imagery and the contrast of 'Salt on our lips' and cool lemonade. The line 'For one fleeting moment all is well' is the line on which the poem pivots. The transition from enjoying bare feet in sand and sea to 'When the sky becomes heavy we trudge back in the sand' says so much, as does 'My head whirls unused to being outside the confines of home'.
ReplyDeleteevocative memories and love the parallels with being outside of your shell
ReplyDeleteHome- that's what I will call it... the darkness in the line contrasts with the light of the seashore.. there is pain in the joy.
ReplyDeleteJae, your words are so beautiful, so deep and so honest, they brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDelete“Home
That's what I will call it”
wrenched at my heart and I feel so emotional now, just writing this.
Your fine words made me think of my five year old grandson (ASD) who began to speak approx. 3 months ago, but is often difficult to understand and how frustrating this must be for him.
I long for him to have a conversation with me, allowing me to understand his world and I, help him understand mine. I love him so very very much.
Thank you Jae, for being you, beautiful inside and out.
Anna :o]
Jae, this is a most beautiful piece of writing. It is one of the best best pieces you have posted. Writing I always felt was within you and hello it has popped out!
ReplyDeleteBeing at the seaside with someone who cared about you.. A release. A day out from the dungeon called home.I have not had a cigarette in 20 years and all of a sudden I feel like one.
ReplyDeleteone of the more tender poems from you, Jae, and i really really loved it.
ReplyDeleteyou mentioned "home" and 'home' to anyone of us has a different story to tell.
I am amazed at how one walk along the seashore can instantly make 'everything better' ~ for that instant. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope those shells will be found when you need them the most.
ReplyDeleteBeach memories call for the sort of poetic treatment given here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You had me living it all, right along with you.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool... interesting memory. Well understood for me.
ReplyDeleteZQ