Seaside Solace
Lazily looking at the haze on the river, it seems like any other day.
The river’s gentle lapping on the beach soothes my weary mind
Playful chipmunks chatter as they run skipping along the shore
Fighting over the stale pistachio nuts left there for them.
A lone heron on the edge of the dock screeches as I interrupt its reverie
Seagulls squawk at the intrusion as this was ‘their’ space before I arrived.
The heat bugs scream as the sun burns off the haze,
Announcing the arrival of yet another blissful warm day on our river.
The scent of fresh cut grass wafts by me as I squeeze my eyes shut
I am in denial that there are actually chores like that to be done.
Squeals of delight from frolicking swimmers reach me from across
Somehow all the sounds combined are a recipe for relaxation.
What did I ever do before, when I needed to energize?
The walks I take along the beach can take minutes or hours – my choice.
Each piece of sea-glass with its own sea-worn design - a new treasure.
Never tiring of the ‘search and gather’ – my jar is now full.
This land is our piece of heaven carved out of a farmer’s field
We are alone most of the time – yet surrounded by nature’s bounty
Even the skunks and raccoons have resigned themselves to our intrusion
One lone fox even made its way up the steps to our front door.
Sometimes I have twinges of guilt owning this overwhelming beauty
But then I only need to remember the endless ‘subdivisions’ we lived in
Thank God I have the ability to know and to appreciate the beauty around me
With each dawning day I feel I am experiencing it for the first time.
Yes, life is good, I muse as I sip on the cool wine that mysteriously appears in my hand
Ahh.. I am now accompanied by the grass cutting noisemaker.
Perhaps the sight of me stretched out flat on the edge of the dock
Was a reminder that days like this are more to be enjoyed than spent cutting grass?
ELR
Summer 2005
Lazily looking at the haze on the river, it seems like any other day.
The river’s gentle lapping on the beach soothes my weary mind
Playful chipmunks chatter as they run skipping along the shore
Fighting over the stale pistachio nuts left there for them.
A lone heron on the edge of the dock screeches as I interrupt its reverie
Seagulls squawk at the intrusion as this was ‘their’ space before I arrived.
The heat bugs scream as the sun burns off the haze,
Announcing the arrival of yet another blissful warm day on our river.
The scent of fresh cut grass wafts by me as I squeeze my eyes shut
I am in denial that there are actually chores like that to be done.
Squeals of delight from frolicking swimmers reach me from across
Somehow all the sounds combined are a recipe for relaxation.
What did I ever do before, when I needed to energize?
The walks I take along the beach can take minutes or hours – my choice.
Each piece of sea-glass with its own sea-worn design - a new treasure.
Never tiring of the ‘search and gather’ – my jar is now full.
This land is our piece of heaven carved out of a farmer’s field
We are alone most of the time – yet surrounded by nature’s bounty
Even the skunks and raccoons have resigned themselves to our intrusion
One lone fox even made its way up the steps to our front door.
Sometimes I have twinges of guilt owning this overwhelming beauty
But then I only need to remember the endless ‘subdivisions’ we lived in
Thank God I have the ability to know and to appreciate the beauty around me
With each dawning day I feel I am experiencing it for the first time.
Yes, life is good, I muse as I sip on the cool wine that mysteriously appears in my hand
Ahh.. I am now accompanied by the grass cutting noisemaker.
Perhaps the sight of me stretched out flat on the edge of the dock
Was a reminder that days like this are more to be enjoyed than spent cutting grass?
ELR
Summer 2005
