we have photos
I'm sure
of that vacation
an August in the 1980s
me - sunburnt miserable
even the ferry captain felt bad
waved me over
let me steer the boat
ocean breezes
combed hair from my braid
salty mist curled it
the island...a sugary thumbprint
in the distance
grey-green waves, fringed with foam,
kneaded the shoreline
it's too rough for us
mom said
shell at your own risk
a faded warning at the dock
stuck in her mind
we wanted something whole
though
a whelk, a cone, an auger
we didn't know or care
just something big enough
to be a paperweight or bookend
a reminder of the sea
to take home to the mountains
dad rolled up his long shorts
and waded in
his feet gripped the rough
rocky sea floor
we trailed beside him
on dry, hot sand
cheering him on
there's one, my sister squealed
a large shell swirled past his white shin
got it, dad said
triumphant
dad, who did not love the beach,
battled waves for an hour
dad, who longed for a fishing pole,
the pop-up camper,
still lake waters, a cool breeze
instead, shells weighing down
his drenched pockets
he dipped his hand beneath the water
then in one swift motion
caught a conch shell,
pink and white and swirly perfect...
he held it high above his head
the hero of the day
Do you still have that shell? It's amazing the story that can be pieced together through short phrases. You leave the reader questioning, why were you unburnt and miserable? Love the island, a sugary thumbprint, what a great description!
ReplyDeleteA teenager, I foolishly insisted on using tanning oil instead of sunscreen the previous day-lesson learned the hard way!
ReplyDeleteThe line breaks in this are just perfect....I could see this as a short story, but a poem is the perfect form! Great choice. My favorite lines:
ReplyDeleteocean breezes
combed hair from my braid
salty mist curled it
Love the colors infused throughout your poem. Everything image jumps to life,
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done - you write about this long ago memory so vividly.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done - you write about this long ago memory so vividly.
ReplyDeletea reminder of the sea
ReplyDeleteto take home to the mountains
Love these lines...since it was important to you for that reason, it was important to your dad.
dad, who did not love the beach,
battled waves for an hour
No wonder dad was your hero.