A walk on the beach

Yum was busy with her new baby, her little girl. It wasn't long before her boy Wah-Wah was toddling everywhere so a baby sling was used for her baby so Yum and Dong could go out together with their children either in the scrubland or on the beach. As they wandered on the beach the tide was out. Bonk, Dong's little boy ran on ahead and Wah-Wah now toddling after him. They had walked a long way and the boys were jumping over seaweed that had washed up on the sand and even letting the sea cover their feet as it was low tide. Yum then noticing a woman gathering seaweed in her basket farther away urged Dong to catch up with them to ensure the boys were safe. 

Dong ran after the boys and when she got there the woman was showing the boys they could squeeze the bobble covered weed and make it pop. They were laughing each time she did it but weren't strong enough to do it themselves. When Yum caught up with them Bonk was wearing some weed on his head pretending he was a sea monster. The woman explained to Yum she collected seaweed, cleaned it in fresh water and cooked it like a vegetable. She then went on to say it was sometimes good to heal wounds and sore throats. Dong however merely shook her head in disbelief. Yum however nodded and said she would try some. She then said her name was Yum; pointed to Dong and said "Dong". The woman smiled and said "My name is "Song". 

Song then pointed to the children in turn and said "Bonk" and then turned to Wah-Wah and said "Wah-Wah"  but when she looked at Yum's baby she looked quizzically at Yum.

"This is Lah-Lah"" Yum said shyly. 

Yum and Dong often went walking on the beach to meet Song the woman from a different clan who knew about cures for sicknesses. As it was summer time they travelled further afield sometimes finding her singing in the woods or talking to the streams. 

(345 words)

Me and Mrs Kidd

 

I lay in bed body prone

As I remember days long gone

While working on a dredge at sea

Crewman fell over, I did see

Spinning round in our wake

So called "Man over" for his sake

But he had drowned there was no doubt

Dredge now slowed we had to get him out

Crew murmured "Is that John Kidd?"

Water surged around us as we did

I was standing on the bulwark

Luckily it was not yet dark

Just thought John was newlywed

Had not long left his marriage bed

Found the heart of such lovely lass

What did he do that was so crass?

Spinning round in ice cold sea

His luck ran out as all could see

I'll be the one to tell his wife

Was there much sadness in his life?

So it was I called on her

She asked me in, I did not demur

Chatted with her to help her plan

His faults not told, she held my hand

Image found at www.pixabay.com

The sea's salty smell

Summer holidays once took us to sea
Mum and Dad and my brother don't you see
Went to grandparents with whom we did board
Which those days was all that we could afford

If the sun decided to shine for us
We would walk to the beach or take a bus
To sit on the sand or the pebbly bit
Depending entirely what the tide saw fit

In those days I hadn't been taught to swim
So to wade in the shallows was my whim
Or collect shells and pebbles that looked good
To show to Ma while she prepared food

The promenade I'd walk with no cares
While parents dozed off in their deckchairs
I'd try my hand on the small putting green
Or ride the sideshows though still not a teen

Later on I went to the coast alone
With cousin we walked miles being windblown
Going to flicks despite were underage
Were both tall so never caused an outrage

Many years have passed since those long gone days
Married now with kids of our own, hip hurrays
A distant country is where I'm now living
But the seas salty smell is still giving

Image found at Pixabay.com

Checking apartments

Checking apartments were my wife and me
At Brighton town overlooking the sea
So we looked at new ones and we looked at old
But not one we looked at screamed out, sold!

Until we found this place high up the hill
My wife's eyes brightened, I could see her thrill
From the Lounge window we could see the sea
It had been maintained in fact superbly

The kitchen was first room seen by my wife
Never seen her grin so much in her life
We saw Lounge room fireplace was burnished brass
In fact the whole flat really was first class

I spoke to the salesman to check the price
"The sellers just dropped it, does that entice?"
Wife nodded but I said,"There's more to see
From master bedroom we could see the sea"

With the drop in price we could afford it
We double checked the lot, then we did sit
Signed the offer, salesman nodded his head
Wife said "I'll see the sea from my own bed!"

Image found at https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/seabrighton-penthouse.html

The sea and me

The sea has always had a power over me
Since first I was taken there barely three
To find that each year it would be the rule
To go there when there was a break from school
At first it was just to paddle and bathe
Until the sea embraced me with a wave

Up above the searching seagulls would fly and squawk
Dad slept in deckchair, Mum watched like a hawk
Later as I approached my teenage years
I was free to roam without Mum in tears
I wandered far watching all the wild life
And like any boy had trusty penknife

And the gulls and terns flew high in sky overhead
While I scrabbled around searching sea bed
Every sign of oceans aquatic world
Would entrance me 'til in bed I was curled
I still walk the beach, I did yesterday
Some terns flew overhead and squawked a "Hey"


Illustration "At the seashore" by S. Anderson

My father-in-law

My father-in-law hated picnics
It wasn't his favourite activity
He liked his meals served up on a plate
At the table in the dining room
Eating out 'en plein air' he did hate

But he liked to swim did my wife's dad
At the sandy beach close to our home
But seeing that snacks were in the pack
He'd walk far away along the beach
Searching for round pebbles, shells and wrack

Not that he was a miserable guy
His sense of humour quite unique
Loved it when grandkids curled in his lap
Best of all swam in the briny sea
Then in the deckchair take a long nap

Image found at http://www.eguidetravel.com/articles/adelaide-beaches/

It was raining

Like a three act play
Writing the words that I speak
Changing my garments

Though it was raining
Thought I'd walk along the beach
To wave to the sea

I love the silence
Just the patter of raindrops
And swish of the tide

Small patch of blue sky
Gave sun a chance to beam goodbye
Bowing out sadly

How I love this Earth
At any time of the year
It fires up my soul

Walking the forest
Or climbing hills and mountains
Thus finding myself

Image found at https://unsplash.com/search/photos/wind-tree

Clear Blue Skies

Oh how I long for clear blue skies
Sandy beaches and mountain range
Stuck working here from dawn to dusk
I need the sun, I need a change

Want to leave the blocks of flats
Rattling trains and factories grim
Rushing people, bus, train and tram
I need wild; fill me to the brim

Now I'm framed on every side
Like a robot trapped in brickwork
Moving one way, turning around
Must do something, I'll go berserk

Just heard branch office opens soon
At the Gold Coast, that's great; Hurray!
Application in; book me up
Get to go there next Wednesday

Images found at https://www.queensland.com/destination-information/surfers-paradise

Note: The laugh here is that The Gold coast is a very popular tourist resort with lots of high rise apartments but does have excellent beaches and a hinterland to explore but work will be much the same!

Waiting eternally

I look to the distant sea
Love the shingle on the beach
Sound of waves on pebbles
Sea moans as it breaks in surf
Hear seagulls calls of despair
As they circle in the air

You once placed your hands in mine
I felt your warmth in this place
But you've gone from this wild world
Leaving me alone missing you
Walking miles through the pine trees
Sobbing, coming to my knees

Do I repent loving you?
Love is precious won or lost
Theres a trace of you in my heart
That will not leave evermore
I feel your eyes that follow me
Wait; I'll wait eternally

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/beach-sun-summer-sunset-816578/

The monster in the sea

I don't know why I decided
To fossick down at Cut Face Cove
But here I met a cute maiden
Singing with whom I fell in love

But no words did that girl utter
As she glared at me face to face
Shook her head meaning "No! No!"
As I picked up trove from that place

Her mournful singing had no words
Her deep green eyes wept salty tears
Her dress was but green draping wrack
But I saw more which were her fears

Somehow she told me silently
Of how the sea her home was trashed
She pointed beyond the harbor
Told of fear and death unabashed

Of starving whales and poisoned seals
The death of coral reefs and fish
Not one word spoke, her eyes said it all
Stop killing was her poignant wish

Suddenly my mind finally woke
I realized the awful truth
Man was the monster in the sea
She was right we were the uncouth

Image copyrighted and is an Isadora Gruye photograph        

Keep still

The best thing in life is just to keep still
For then you can observe what you will
Be it ants or beetles doing what they care
Or watching birds flying high in the air

Even in the busy streets and shopping malls
Or in a produce market's bustling stalls
Suavely dressed or in workman's clobber
All happy children, except one sobber

Quick look now! For there is a snatch and grab!
While the victim weeps and her eyes does dab
Oblivious busker's music still plays
Victim and robber now gone for the day

Down by the river bank all is quiet
A lone Egret watches the water yet
Waiting for a fish to catch for his tea
Meanwhile the Mallard ducks quack happily

Then one warm summer day on beaches strand
Sunglasses on, relaxed with book at hand
Watch the brown tanned bodies pass you by
Keep still and observe, all will please your eye



Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/786581891145108288/

Her sweet song

O sing a song of the sea
That's good enough for me
I have so many tales to tell
Even more than that seashell

Hold it up close to your ear
It will tell what you most fear
Will Kraken finally wake?
I hope not for all our sakes

Orcas here, cephalopods there
Giant squids hug like a bear
Stingrays are just baby stuff
Beasts in oceans depths are tough

O sing that sea song indeed
Down there you are just their feed
Unless you're a mermaids friend
Love and kisses 'til your end

Her sweet song will entice you
You'll do what she wants you to
You'll paint her nails and eat fish
Go ahead if that's your wish!

Image found at https://2ser.com/mermaid-tempest-and-friends-life-as-a-mermaid/

Felled forest

What do we need to see the truth
Of creatures habits here on Earth
Who can tend the land and sea's song?
Who by their actions do much wrong?

One thing to eat fruit from a tree
But felled forest a shame to see
Or kill life in fossil oil quest
When sun shines each day east to west

The oceans provide so much food
But our trash and waste does no good
What dirty creatures mans kind are
Careless here at home and afar 

Hibernating birds fail to come
Industry trashed their Asian home
Waste dumped in seas kill a reef
Man's a foul beast beyond belief

Politicians no problem see
All the while banks cheer with glee
Puppeteers pull strings of blind men
Thinking they'll take gold to heaven

For the climate will make a change
As storms and tides will disarrange
But man will want a profit still
Must keep money filling the till

Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_of_the_Amazon_rainforest

You look at me

We're holding fingers walking along the strand
With the sea gently lapping on the sand
There's nothing in the world we want more
As you look at me and I at you

Seabirds fly off and crabs scuttle from our feet
How blessed we both were when first we did meet
As we walk you take a glance at me
Knowing that my eyes are on you too

And when we reach the end of the golden shore
I see your eyes pleading for so much more
So venture in the dunes out of sight
Kissing and cuddling clothes all askew

The evening falls and the moon shines down on us
As we hear the seas constant hiss and hush
So we wend our way wearily home
Paddling along the seashores foam

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/photos/?q=Couple+walking+on+beach

Entwined by the young

Grandchildren run down the beach
Buckets in hand
Across the sand
We settle in a deckchair each

I keep an eye on the wee pair
They pick up some stones
As I rest my bones
But close my eyes in the deck chair

The seas song sooothes me fast asleep
Shading my eyes
While Seagull cries
Until I hear not a single peep

I know not how long that I'd slept
Heard distant drones
Weight on my bones
Woke, found that I was quite inept

A seaweed skein draped on my head
Shells on my chest
Pebbles and rest
That weighed down my merman's bed

Soon sea shanty's refrain was sung
Crowds were abuzz
Laughed at the fuss
No shame to be entwined by the young

Image found at https://depositphotos.com/97825174/stock-video-senior-man-sleeping-on-deck.html

At the seaside

My mother had no faith in the sea
But stayed her distance on the golden sand
Except when it retreated at low tide
Then dare to paddle Dad close at hand

She even felt sick on a rowing boat
That crossed to Arun river's western shore
To Littlehampton's deserted beach
Did grip the side, and cry out 'No more!"

While we boys chased around the sand dunes
Explored the old fort or splashed in the sea
Mother fretted that sunny afternoon
Dreamt of safety where she wanted to be

Despite the sun her face was quite pale
As we trekked back to ferry's river berth
She closed her eyes for the journey's row back
Sighed with relief stepping on the real earth

Image found at http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Littlehampton.html

Great Knot

We drove down the gravel road
Parked in a shaded spot close
To the path over the dunes
Binoculars and notepads
In our eager hands

Wooden slats wired together
To climb up over the dunes
Julie held tight to my hand
As the sea breeze blew head on
The low shining sands

Carefully we clambered down
To the beach spread out all round
Waves washed in with furious might
Shorebirds scampering with glee
Across wide wetlands

We walked down to the surfs edge
Hoping to spy a Great Knot
To tick off our life's list
As birdwatching was our game
We were holding hands

A place to sit we did find
To get the birds used to us
Eyes searching every group
As birds got back to work
We checked whole wide strand

Birds patterning sky above
Others feeding at shores edge
One jumped to avoid the spray
"That's it" Julie simply said
Voice almost offhand

I checked, she was right of course
As the seas spray pushed them back
Several Knots were down there
Julie simply took some shots
Camera in hand

Image found at http://www.arthurgrosset.com/ozbirds/greatknot.html

In my memory

Take me back to the boundless sea
I'll find you there in my memory
How we walked on those sandy shores
To mournful sound of seagulls caws

How I hunger for your lips again
Being with you in sun or rain
As I follow paths we once trod
Others may think this is quite odd

Powerful wind blows in my face
How I miss this our special place
Our days together were so brief
Salty breeze blows away my grief

What madness has urged me back
The surfs sad shout, the washed up wrack
Wild winds blow up the foamy spume
Whose gentle kiss relieves my gloom


Image found at https://www.bostonglobe.com

The pebble beach

Luckily it had been a warm night
Binge drinking session over
I woke up on the pebble beach
With hungry seagulls watching me
But soon they were quickly put to flight

Staccato whistling of soaring birds
Checking the water for some food
And the gentle sprinking of rain
Convinced me to leave my stony bed
To farewell my sidekick who'd not stirred

Some hours later I could not deny
I felt thinner after a bathroom stop
Slick too shaving off my stubble
Then I spied my eyes in the mirror
Don't talk of my sin 'til by and by

Image found at https://hiveminer.com

Attention to detail

There was hardly a ripple on the water
As we now basked in the midday sun
I preferred watching the waves heap up
Gigantic in the their fury onto the beach
Then skitter back down foaming at us like fools

Gulls meanwhile searched for who knows what
As they'd eat any left over rubbish
Being the hobos of the shoreline
Wiser terns would circle high then dive in
To gain select items like connoiseurs

Meanwhile Angela called me back down to earth
On her knees with lotion bottle in hand
My task to apply oil as directed
Clearly a simple job made for able men
A sort of reward for services rendered

I make no bones about it, it was great fun
But attention to detail was noticed
She was in the throes of annoyance
I was sent off to wander the shore again
The wise terns shook their heads at me in disgust

Image fiund at http://pixiebirding.blogspot.com.au