Along the Shoreline
Along the Shoreline
I
Marble grooves on a clam shell
sand dune like ancient lava
bird footprint along a wash
woman among the waves.
Among the ripples of the sand
notice woman lifting hand
her vasculature almost
seen through ocean crud.
Lean against wind until gone
small bird stuck in thicket
one needs to pay attention
break all life patterns.
Dance with each polished glass grain
a girl pink with a sunburn
stands halfway through the morning
holds her crawfish catch.
A skinny boy in trunks
just finished his cereal
to run out into the sand
jumps into the surf.
Middle aged man rolls on log
tries to tune into rhythm
tumbles forward as he laughs
of wave against wood.
II
Couple starts fire for evening
along the shore on the sand
find dreams of lake horizon
memories of dune.
Sleep all night out in warm rain
to learn love out on this beach
gear from the day all folded
dusty shrine of plank.
The sun past the wave
calm morning creeps in as cold
swirling in tangle of weed
washed upon the shore.
He pushes through morning bush
she allows the ocean wave
they roll slowly to the tide
this youthful couple.
Folded within their feeling
the soft serpent curl of tide
the dark roar of the high beach
where ocean’s lips touch.
On rock where lizard sunbaths
sand rests between fern and weed
massive silver wave breaks through
she swims he watches.
III
Cool stays while swimming away
easing underwater bare
swimmer knows lungs high limits
pacific cartwheel.
Waves close on her like lids
her hair shines while sluicing stroke
a Sagittarius sky
milky reflection.
Slides free on crest of wave
salty mouth speaks to an ear
flows and spirals of a shell
these current tide capes.
Power of pool of water
finally find place in this
spending time alone shoreline
what seems like a lifetime.
Cicada sounds through rainbow
refraction from playful splash
salt water like Milky Way
the waves sound the drum.
Almost swim out to breaker
to find the lost Sea-People
hidden underneath each surge
a push toward shore.
For more works like Along the Shoreline and other works by this author visit
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- A Peaceful Place to Slumber - November 8, 2024
- Soft Shock of Apples Falling - April 22, 2024
I love beaches along the Pacific coast and you brought it back to me in vivid images. Great work, Jamie, on this wonderful poem.
Thank you Phyllis.