We were in Florida last week, on the gulf side, close to Clearwater Beach. It was beautiful. Sunny… every day, temperatures in the 80’s…every day.
We spent time near the water, and submerged ourselves in the water once. It felt wonderful. We walked along beaches and enjoyed the fine, white, sugar sand, and seeing the awesome shades of turquoise water, beautiful blue skies, shore birds, sea shells, sail boats. We “soaked” it all in…sun, waves, sea air, warm temps.
Usually when I am on the water’s edge I look for sea shells…(or rocks if I’m on Lake Superior’s rocky shore). I can’t help myself. As I walked along looking for shells I thought about a poem I wrote several years ago. I looked it up after we returned home and am sharing it below.
Along the Sea (2010) Here I go again... Walking along the beach, Tides go out, tides come in, I’m open to what it’ll teach. Water rolling over the toes, Sun sparkling across the sea, The gentle sound of waves, All soothes the core of me. I walk along and sing psalms As the pulsing waves repeat, I feel a sense of calm As my eyes draw to my feet. I reach down for a token From the bounty of the sea. And check to see if it’s broken, If so, I toss it back quickly. I can’t resist, so I pick up more Searching for one without mars, Noting what likeness to people they bore, Broken, wounded, with scars. So, I start being less selective And find new beauty in these... My mind gently corrected As I choose shells along the sea.