Florida (1987)

Cherry

By marandina

Sat, 12 Feb 2022
  • 1239 reads
9 comments
 

Audio version at https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/florida-1987-mp3?si=2c3f333ebb2a4a0...

 

Florida (1987)

 

Rays of sunlight glint through blinds,

water cascading on tiles, shower sounds,

muffled murmers, closed bathroom door,

I watch news scrolling, ticker - indolence.

 

Reports of Republicans and Democrats,

intrigue and lies in a motel bedroom,

above a pitcher throws a curveball,

Cubs caps worn in a sun-baked crowd.

 

Silhouettes at sunset, life on the dock,

watching white horses, gentle waves,

then life stops, transience of existence,

grey fin emerging, sea-surface breaking,

 

aquiline body, rows of tiny teeth,

smiling it seems: leaps, twirls, submerges,

back once again, below the waterline,

Bottlenose dolphin has stolen my heart.

 

Spellbound, frozen, camera frames clicking,

a fleeting moment in time amongst many,

silent regret of encountering this alone,

a memory unshared, a memento of my own.

 

 

 

Image free to use via WikiCommons at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tursiops_truncatus_01.jpg

Certificate U
Poem
Travel

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Amongst so much that is happening, what is of consequence is that soliary moment – maybe enjoyed all the more for being alone and able to savour it fully!. I take it it was unexpected?

I'm constantly wanting to say 'momento' instead of 'memento', and am corrected. I think I thought of it so long as a 'memento' of a special 'moment'!

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon. Yes, it was a moment strolling alone on a boardwalk in Florida in the evening. My first sighting of wild dolphins. A moment that stayed with me. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul. I've been to Forida twice and never seen a dolphin in the wild, just in captivity, so when I read your poem I got quite excited. We stayed in St Petes where the sand is pure white and though very hot to walk on, feels like velvet to touch. 

I love that line where you say you were frozen in time, I can just imagine the excitement you were feeling, like the dolphin was coming up to greet you.

Did you get the chance to go to the Everglades and see the Manatees? We went on a boat trip and although they're shy, we managed to glimpse just one that came up, but quickly went down under the water.

Reading your poem bought back so many happy memories of being young and carefree. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh wonderful memories, Jenny. It was actually a place called "Treasure Island" near Miami on a twin centre holiday in 1987. The first week was in Orlando. I enjoyed the second week more than the first. It was seminal seeing wild dolphins in the bay. I would love to visit the Everglades and, if/when I go back that is on the "must see" list of places to go.

Thanks again for reading.

Take care.

Paul x

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

A wonderful moment, Paul, and now it isn't unshared, because you've really brought it alive to us here. And, as ever, a great audio to accompany it. 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you for reading it, Jane. Bizarrely, I recorded an audio for the St Valentine poem and nailed it in two takes (quickest ever). This one I stumbled over again and again. Finally got there after making it into double figures. It's all good fun, though! Thanks again. Paul :)

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

I enjoyed reading this. I have never been to Florida, but have seen wild dolphins in the Canary Islands and what a priviledge it was to have them come and play around our boat. 

 

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Jean. I would love more encounters with wild dolphins. Magical creatures, they are. Paul