Beach Days


Tilted umbrellas line the sandy shore
Billowing in the lazy breeze
Gentle pint-sized waves
Repeat their journey ashore
Washing away the footprints
Of travelers and dreamers
I barefoot my way along the watery edge
Out-stepping the foamy surrender
Of saltwater retreat
It reaches for my feet
Trying to cover my painted toes
The incessant tumbling rush
Of surf over surf
Lulls me into a timeless place
Where only the slowly moving sun keeps pace
I extend my gaze afar
Where sky meets water
In a horizontal ribbon of limitless blue
Where high masted ash-white sailboats
Float in tranquility
And shades of turquoise green water
Blend and diffuse light to dark
I watch as hungry gulls
Swoop and dive for fishy food
And terns chatter among themselves
Arguing over seashell remains
I watch the languid bodies
Plastered against color-striped towels
And smile as hand-in-hand sweeties
Amble past stride for stride
I sidestep little ones
With plastic buckets and Frisbees
Squealing with delight
The salty air, summery sun,
Champagne sand with its
Buried seashell treasures
Beckon my return
To dream another day