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"
