Castles in the Sand

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 27 May 2014
  • 2842 reads
8 comments
 
How fast a fortnight flies...how 
very blue the sea was.
 
How I tried to race
the ripples back to shore...
 
How it came undone, that knitted 
swimsuit I wore, whilst burying Dad’s toes
as he dozed – obligatory handkerchief
covering his head;
 
my mum, nattering to yours, and how 
I watched the thin, white line of a seagull 
stippling the sky.
 
How I first noticed you...took 
a deep breath, said, “Hello! What’s 
your name, then?”
 
How you dropped your ice-cream cone...
kerplonk!  And how my big brother 
teased yours, 
 
and how our dogs chased the waves;
did as they pleased, shook, then sneezed, 
 
and, oh...how we loved to be at the seaside
while the band played on.
 
How we queued for an age on the sand
for our pictures took on a donkey
 
and how your dad said a bob 
was tantamount to daylight robbery...
 
And how, by the groin near the pier 
we dug a tunnel; you at one end,  
me at the other...
 
and how, at long last, we broke through
and our hands met, and how 
we found a friend
 
and how the tide turned...
too soon.
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Nice bundle of nostalgic picture memories. Rhiannon

( we usually spell it 'groyne' in Britain?)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Your synopsis, spot on Rhiannon, as ever, and I thank you for it.

'Groin/groyne' an interesting word, meaning  'a timber framework or low wall run out into the sea', of course,  as per the shorter Oxford English Dictionary. which, true to form, cites  'also groin', as an optional spelling, UK, or otherwise. 

You certainly keep me on my toes, or should I say, my fingerssmiley  and your observation is second to none.

'Contrary'... this British language of ours, which makes it even more fascinating, with all its diversities, and bolstering the latest polls, 'Vive La Difference'smiley 

Tina

 

 

 

Submitted by Hydra on

Lovely natural flow of language in an autobiographical / reminiscent poem. I think the last two lines make the poem. Too soon for what the reader asks. Too soon for the loss of childhood? Too soon for the loss of friendship? What would the relationship have been if given the chance? We all have those questions about our past and you have touched on them gently and with great finesse.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lost for words, scorpio.  Thank you for yourssmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Loved the feel of this, Tina. Very nostalgic of a time in life when it all could have been so simple.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

That's it...in a nutshell, Bee.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Some wonderful childhood memories you've captured in this poem Tina.  One that I can relate to and I'm sure many other readers can too.

Really enjoyed.  smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Good to hear from you, Jenny, and I'm so pleased you could identify with this one.

Tinasmiley