The waves roar and break upon the sand–
so grand,
the spindrift whipping up to the clouds,
so loud,
the joy of faces blush-pinked,
and salt-speckled
with sea-kissed freckles.
We sink into the mucky-wet, cool puddles,
a jellyfish drifts beachward and back out to sea—
free to be.
A dancing sprite, cartwheels across the sand,
her wonderland,
gritty-warm underfoot,
holding the sun’s heat within,
let it in,
it radiates back in golden-glimmers,
like love, it shimmers.
Gulls chortle as they fly overhead,
diving down to grab some bread,
or perhaps some fries,
(those Boardwalk fries),
the scent of tar and ketchup mix
with suntan lotion,
the constant motion
of summer treats and seaside tricks,
a perfect beach day—
I want to stay,
watch and dream, as the ocean,
blue-green-gray,
and capped with white,
swirls and twirls,
(as it has)
from dawn of time to darkest night.
Cape May, NJ
Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt: “we’d like to challenge you to write a poem that includes images that engage all five senses. Try to be as concrete and exact as possible with the “feel” of what the poem invites the reader to see, smell, touch, taste and hear.”
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love your use of rhyme here, and those short lines, like the refrain of a song. I was there 🙂
Aww–thank you, Jane. I made sure the gull was there for you. 🙂
I appreciated that touch 🙂
🙂
OH! I read this out loud and with each line my voice grew louder and it resonated throughout the house. You took the prompt one step deeper by including the sixth sense of motion. The rhymes and line breaks are marvelous but I really love your two parentheticals – they break the rhythm at just the right moments. (And for some reason, I want fries with dinner now.) Glorious poem!!!
Thank you SO much, Jilly. I wish I could have heard you reading this. 🙂
What I think, Merril, is that you need to go back to the beach with a bottle of wine, roll up your pant legs, wade into the surf and shout it at the rising sun.
Hmmm. . .well. . . maybe some time. Though perhaps coffee with the rising sun. 😉
Must stay up all night 😉
Not likely–last night I could barely make it to 9 PM. I’m such a wild woman. 🙂
Delightful!
Thank you very much!
This one is full of life!
Thank you, Ken! 🙂
Joyful, what a wonderful day you created for us! (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. I was imagining being there. 🙂
The ocean is calling us all these days.
Man, I love the ocean. You made it so real here. Wonderful! Just wonderful!
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
Line breaks reflecting ebb and flow and excellent rhyming
Thank you very much, Derrick.
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Okay now I am set for beach side marseille and after reading this poem, it has something to live up to!!!
Hahaha. Thanks, Damien!
Enjoy. Take photos. 🙂
You made me feel as though I was there at the beach, Merril. 🙂
That’s wonderful. Thank you, Robin! 🙂
I grew up on a coast, and the mention of the “jelly fish drifting… / free to be” really resonated. Thank you for this poem.
Thank you so much!
This one captured all the senses with the promises of heat, water (waves) sounds, food tasted by seagulls, lotion (tar and ketchup) scents, and visions of ~
“A dancing Sprite, cartwheels across the sand, her wonderland. . . ”
Oh, how I love all of these, Merril! 🏖️
I drove past campus and saw the sunbathing girls, the baby pool set up with guys soaking their feet in their canvas chairs. . . Went to watch the grandkids at Trista’s house, while the nearly divorced couple headed to couples counseling for family healing.
The little ones chortling, Kyah (7) and Hendrix (2) hiding in the yard behind trees, under a blanket and inside a playhouse. Not many choices but still happy.
Simple sun setting into lavenders and then finally going inside with the two media focused 9 and 12 year olds. Not my job to lecture, thank goodness! 😉
Thank you so much, Robin.
I hope all goes as well as possible with your family. It is fortunate that you are nearby to help with the grandkids (as well as enjoying being with them).
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