Sunday 2 August 2020

Ode to the Seashore

Time itself
Replaced 
By the cadence
Of the surf
Kissing the shoreline

The 
Midday sand
Feels like
A favourite 
Pair of slippers
Hugging
The soles 
of 
My feet

Etched
Across the miles
of
Velvety beach
Geometric patterns
Carved with
Intricate precision
Providing
My
Too oft shoe-clad
Feet
A contoured
and
Textured
Surface
That is
Delightfully unfamiliar

What then 
Of
Felled timbers washed ashore
During 
Past Winter's tempests?
Just logs you say!!

Nay... Nay!!
Bridges!
A complex weave
Laid to span 
The entire shoreline
But only
For the most
Adept feet
Balance, endurance
Flexibility, Ingenuity

Not an activity
For the 
Faint of heart
For 
What should happen
If you lose 
Your balance
And come off
Unexpectedly??

I regret
To inform you
You are 
Then to be consumed
By lava pits
That are
The heat 
of
One thousand suns

If it is
Any reassurance
I have suffered
This fate
On numerous occasions...

I suggest 
Ensuring 
That you 
Make yourself 
Right
With
Poseidon 
Before embarking
I myself
Have been
Granted
My fair share
Of Do overs..

Oh 
By the way
Don't even 
Bother going
To the shore
If you
Haven't allowed
Ample time
To explore
The many tide pools

Each is a universe unto itself!!!
The more 
Closely one looks
The more
Previously thought
Inanimate objects
Pulse with
the life 
Of the Creator
A perfect
Wee system
Of 
Symbiotic existence
Utilizing
Divinely ordained
Proportions
of
Sand and Salt water
Energized 
By the sun
To weave 
A web 
of life
Unlike 
Any 
You will 
Find 
Anywhere else!

Of course
No trip
To 
The seaside
Would be complete
Without 
A thorough
Treasure hunt!!

Patience
And 
A keen eye
Will yield
The 
Perfect stone!
Scoff 
If you will..
Yes 
There are 
Countless
"Pebbles on the beach"

There is also
One...
That 
Has been
Selected
For you

You 
Must be willing
To spend
Ample time
On your quest
Don't 
Just look 
With your 
Eyes...
Listen
(the beach is alive)
It will
Lead you
Right to it!!

Don't 
Be alarmed
When the shell
You fancy
Runs away
And 
Do keep 
In mind
You are 
A visitor
In a thriving
Seaside metropolis

Much
Is to be said 
About
Taking pictures
and
Leaving footprints
Remembering
That "souvenir"
Might be somebody's
Home

Don't forget
To offer 
A fond
Wave
To those
Trickster's 
The clams

"No intelligent life?"
(you say)
How do you 
Suppose..
That they 
Know just
Exactly
When to 
Spout 
Their wee
Geyser
Straight up
Your pant leg?
(a sensual delight0

If 
Good fortune
Smiles 
Upon you
You will
Remain
At the seashore
Long enough
To 
Witness
The pageantry 
Of
The setting sun

Never
The same show
Twice

Absolutely
Breath-taking!!

Watch
As geese
Fly in formation
Across crimson skies

Eagles, ravens & crows
Vie for
The optimal
Tree top balcony seating

A delicious
Silence
Envelopes
The 
Coastal expanse
Cueing
A lone heron
To
Wade 
Through 
The surf
Where 
It 
Will strike
A vigilant
 & 
Magnificently 
Patient pose
Awaiting
Moonlit 
Dinner




R. O'Neill (August 02, 2020)