Weko Beach
Renegade leaf summersaults across boardwalk,
braving, (more like) defying, Lake Michigan's headwind,
seemingly determined to forge a path of its own.
Grandpa's behind me, leaning heavily upon my husband's arm,
determined but cold. Body, like the leaf, frail, life slowly ebbing,
yet spirit still seeks that which he holds dear.
Grandchildren, evergreen with fiery daring of youth,
plunge toes into frigid water, laugh and scream
when waves splash with abandon,
laughter tumbling leaf-like, hitching a ride upon its back
as it pirouettes out of sight.
Melodious chords mix with surf, songs strummed by The Balladeer,
while my youngest causes my heart to flutter as he defies "Keep Off",
challenges Mother Nature as she licks pier's edge.
Grandpa's cold. My voice calls out, boomerangs back
without reaching them. The sand is fine and soft, but
unlike the skipping leaf, I plod towards shore in my shoes,
gather them in, cheeks full of colour and life.
Slowly walk Grandpa to the car. He's shivering, tired
from sitting bench-side.
Just last year he was walking dune's wooden stairs;
today, empty. Legs unable to carry his spirit to a favorite lookout.
Memory will have to suffice - and yet even his abundant,
bounty-filled life is becoming misty, crumbling into fine fragments,
compost enriching a path we will tread one day as well.
by Margaret Bednar, October 20, 2018
This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Get Listed - October edition" my list of words: fiery, plunge, colour, leaf.
Also linked with "Poets United Midweek Motif: Abundance"
12 comments:
I prefer autumn and winter beaches to summer ones. There's something about an empty beach that you've captured in that renegade leaf summersaulting across the boardwalk@ - I love the wordplay in this, Margaret, and the laughter/leaf simile is perfect. The extended metaphor of ageing works so well in this snapshot of life.
I read this as a tribute to us Grandpas. Thank you, Margaret. I'm not really looking forward to that part. But I don't complain, I've lived a full life, have done everything that needs be done and most of what I've wanted to do.
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Your piece gives full measure to the senses, Margaret. I love how you preserve family history in poetry. It is so special.
PS. I got a notice from the Post Office that a parcel should be collected.. so hoping it is my journal. I will get back to you if it is.
This is incredibly touching, Margaret. A beautiful poem and tribute 💖
In your poem, you speak of riding a leaf, and I am reminded of the little faires in children's story books, with little acron caps. A sweet poem, we never show when the last walk to sea will be. You will always remember taking Grand Pa and the kids to walk on the pier! I loved it, thanks for taking me with you!
I do love the shoreline in winter the best... the thought of only having it in your memory reminds me to fill my own... one day it will be me sitting remembering.
This is a wonderful poem.Like all of us Grandpa probably never thought the day would come when he could not walk along the beach. It happens to all of us too soon. Thought provoking piece.
I love the description in the second stanza. Beautiful.
I can feel the breeze off the water in this, both the literal and metaphorical. One of your best, imo.
This touches my heart. But the end of an abundant life is not a bad thing, but a time to recall the abundance and rejoice it.
This is such a beautiful tribute, Margaret.
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