I can sit
And think, therefore
I am in heaven: my haven
Where bright sea meets azure sky
The place where dreams can come alive
To entertain, delight, or just pass time
Yet at my will they disappear
And I can sit
In silent contemplation here
On familiar sand and stone-strewn shores,
Where waves begot by every breaking wave
Lend rhythmic peace to perfect, salted air
Each froth’d advance and wash
Another of Earth’s breaths
And I can sit
In peace; my soul refreshed
Capturing in mind’s eye for another day
The way the sunlight plays upon each crest
Their perfect, glitter shine must teach
E’en diamonds what to strive for
Behold: the beach.
And I can sit
Attuned to seagulls’
Lonely, harsh, melodic cries
As in circles, thermals under sickle wings
They seem set to reach and brush the vaulted sky
‘longside their flights, I uncage my thoughts
Allow myself to wonder “Why?”
Then look around
And I can sit
Let my fingers idly sift
Those worlds in grains of sand
Can know that here, I am lost and found
No distance e’er can take the beach from me
No circumstance remove it from my mind
Tho cruel geography has to have its way
I triumph, for I carry it inside
And I can sit.
The beach is a magical place for me, where my soul feels at home and I know that I have space to breathe…I am lucky I live so close, and for those who feel the same but who are prevented by geography or personal circumstance from being able to see the waves, taste the salt air and bathe in that peculiar, refracted light which happens over the ocean, the loss can be intolerable. It is to one such friend I dedicate this poem – Girlie; this is for you.
The Well Tempered Bards 
Lovely that you have such a place that no one can take away from you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely that I have it for real. And though they’re sometimes harder to access, no-one can remove a place we internalise 🙂
LikeLike
Watching water is mesmerizing, whether it’s the pitching and rolling of the ocean or the glassy smoothness of a lake. Makes for a wonderful thinking place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You waxed near poetic yourself there, Dyannedelion 🙂 But yes – it’s one of those things we just seem able to watch for hours and become lost in our own thoughts. There is affinity there, definitely 🙂
LikeLike
I so wish I lived closer to water. You make me long for it with this poem.
Yeah! Cool timing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come visit me, Zoe. We’ll go to my parents’ lake house and you can sit on the deck (or dock) for hour upon hour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you did, too! I think there’s something deep within the human psyche which responds to it. I hope the poem made the missing it better rather than worse, and evoked pleasant memories for you 🙂
Yay timing! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Lizzie, of course, THE BEACH.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that old chestnut – the place where I feel most…me! A feeling which I am not alone in, and I think one I can quite safely say is always worth returning to, whenever possible 🙂
LikeLike
The poem flows through me like the yin and yang of the waves. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
GOOD! Did you like the form of it? I took care over that *not-so-well-concealed-happiness*
LikeLike
I love the beach too, although, i hate the sand in all the wrong places. I love watching the waves, but have to sit in the water some too. I used to love jumping and swimming, but can’t chance it anymore since knee replacements. I love the ebb and flow of your poem in waves of words. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHAH! Yes! Sand in the wrong places can be uncomfortable in the extreme! I love being in the water, and I like to swim and paddle, but the thing which soothes me is just to be near it. Or hear it. Or see it.
Thank you – I’m pleased you liked the ebb and flow of the poem, too 🙂
LikeLike
Having just returned from there, I am already heartbroken at the distance and longing for more. You said it all just right here, yes, that is the way it is, and where my soul most longs to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh but what a wonderful, wonderful time you had, and how those memories will stay with you…
BUT – I totally get you. I think I would wilt if I were away from the beach for too long. That sounds so hard 😦 I hope you get to go back soon, my friend.
LikeLike
I love the beach and I love this poem. I make a yearly pilgrimage to the ocean to renew my spirit. I really miss living on the coast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YEARLY?! Ohhhhhhh Lillian I don’t know how you cope in between! I know the poem says that when you carry the beach in your heart, nothing can take it from you, but that’s a LONG time to be without it.
That said, it must be SO WONDERFUL when you get there.
LikeLike
I really think I would like to have a vacation home on the beach. It sounds amazing.
http://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2014/10/octpowrimo-2014-day-6.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhhh that would be THE DREAM! To be able to live at the beach would be so perfect.
LikeLike
The length of the poem reinforces the contents, just like the shape. Beautiful. And relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy you liked it – thank you 🙂
LikeLike
You have such beautiful talent inside and out Lizzi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a very nice thing to say, thank you 🙂
LikeLike
The words flow effortlessly, bringing with them a sense of peace. Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh lovely, thank you – that’s what I hoped for.
LikeLike
My perfect beach day is a little windier. It’s nice to have those special places in your heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Windier like blustery? Or more meandery? 🙂 But yes…to have such a feeling from the sea is wonderful.
LikeLike