Myrtle Beach Series 2023 #2

First Day Morning

while we celebrate the 
anniversary of nine eleven
at a calm beach I sit,
the Atlantic like a lake 
flat and smooth
with a few ripples in front
of the waves turning them white,
the sun hides behind the
clouds of Lee that churns
the waters east of us...
we feel the moisture in the air
but there is not a drop of rain.

11Sept23

First Day Morning #2

in front of me, an expanse

of water I see...

far to the left and right,

a pale sky,

lighter than the water

divides the two

at the horizon...

on its edge

traverses a ship

to an unknown destination

it makes headway,

behind it,

a parachute glides

its colors muted by the fog

that covers all around,

like a transparent screen,

above it are

patches of blue

peeking out from behind,

a festival of watercolors

or so it seems...

the screaming roar of an engine

flies overhead but

remains unseen and I

cover up my legs

with a towel when

the sun again appears.

11Sept23

First Day Afternoon

out from behind the clouds the

sun has come to join us,

warming up the afternoon

a gentle breeze ruffles the flaps

of our umbrella...

lunch has been consumed

without prayers and water from

a bottle washes it all down....

a cookie or two or three is eaten

under the umbrella and the taste

of lemon remains in my mouth,

low tide shifts to high and the

waves increase in intensity,

body surfers are in the water

like schools of dolphins...

not a shark in sight,

lifeguards patrol their territories

as if guarding inmates during

their one hour a day outside,

chairs at the water's edge

are empty...   their occupants

opting for a walk...  seagulls fly

against the currents on their way

to displace a multitude of pigeons,

normalcy has returned to this

shoreline once the children have

been ordered back to campus.

11Sept23