It’s summer in my part of the world but most of my Poetry Friday friends are in the northern hemisphere,and so in the midst of winter. Last Friday there was a plethora of posts filled with snow and ice so, when I sat down to prepare my post for today, I thought it might be nice to warm my northern friends with some summer pictures and some poems from the beach.
This first one was written in January last year, and posted on the Poetry Tag blog I share with my friend Rebecca. In Poetry Tag we take turns challenging each other to write a poem incorporating whichever words we choose.Rebecca gave me: lazy, myself, print, thousand and smell. At the time I was in the midst of a lazy summer, so that first word took me straight to the beach.
Summertime
On the beach 
I’m feeling lazy
Smell of sunscreen
Fills the air.
A thousand bushflies
Drive me crazy
As I make my way
Down there.
I plunge myself
In cooling ocean
Feel inertia
Wash away.
Flies have vanished
No devotion
To watery fun
They’d rather stay
Beachside where they’ll
Leave their print
On backs of sunsoaked
Sandbound teens
Who’ve left the water
For a stint
Of games, or food,
Or magazines.
(Copyright Sally Murphy)
This next poem is new. I liked playing with short lines for the Flourish poem I shared last Friday, so wanted to experiment with it again for this week’s topic. It seemed to fit with the playfulness of a day at the beach.
At the Beach
There’s sand
and shells
and salty
smells
There’s water
too
so much
to do
Like splish
and splosh
swim
and wash
Build castles
moats
frolic
float
Throw balls
and play
stay
all day
Then say
goodbye
with happy
sigh.
(Copyright Sally Murphy)
This third poem is one I’ve shared before. I like it because it captures one of my favourite things to do at the beach- simply walk, with my toes in the water. I’m hoping to make some more poem videos this year,since it’s been a while since I made one.
I hope, Northern hemisphere friends, that all this beachyness makes you warm rather than envious. I’m sending you as much virtual warmth as I can muster.
Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Jan at Bookseed Studio.
Even the alligators on this continent are iced in, as Molly reveals. I like thinking about your beach more than I like contemplating the ice! 🙂
Very thoughtful of you, Sally – even though I’m on the Southern coast myself here in the states, we had a crazy few days of snow and ice to start the new year! Brrrr. Thanks for sharing all, & Happy Summering.
We go to the beach each summer as a family, and your poems make me want the time to move a bit more quickly, Sally. I love to walk along the water, looking, looking for treasures. Love your video of “happy toes”!
What fun to come to the beach with you while looking out the window at our inches of newly-fallen snow! Your second poem is my favorite. I want to try some short-line rhyming poems!
I loved that beach visit, Sally. I could smell the kelp and hear the waves… now to experience the heat! Enjoy your summer.
Thanks Violet. I shall! And count my blessings while I do.
I know now what has been missing from my life the past several months: the beach! the water! the sand! Thank you for this lovely post, Sally – filled with joy. Enjoy the summer.
You are welcome, Myra. And I shall 🙂
A virtual beach visit is just what I needed! The snow and ice reign at this time of year and I miss beach walks. Thanks for a burst of welcome warmth.
You are welcome, Molly. Happy to stroll with you 🙂
Keep that virtual warmth coming, Sally! While today it’s a crazy 60 degrees F in Boston, it’s 60 degrees warmer than it was one week ago. Can you say Global Warming? Cheers! — Christie
Glad it’s getting a teeny bit warmer there, Christie. Having never seens\ snow, I can’t fathom the cold you are experiencing.
I can definitely say Global Warming or, more accurately, climate change. The changes to climate that we are seeing all around the glove (including the unusual freezes) are all the evidence I need.
I’m ready to jump into your video or one of the poems, what a fantastic winter rendezvous! I like your “thousand bushflies,” and that they have no “devotion.” Thanks for sending us all these warm-waterfilled poems Sally, they’re a grand mini escape!
You are welcome Michelle. Thanks for coming along for the walk 🙂
Thank you for the warm wishes and beachy images! It is welcome here as ice coats every surface outside. My toes are wriggling right along with yours–but in fuzzy socks rather than sand.
Glad to share some warmth, even if it’s virtual. Wriggle with me!
“Feel inertia wash away” had me longing for a dip in the ocean, Sally.
Glad you liked it, Laura. Come over for a dip 🙂
Hi Sally! I loved your video and all 3 poems! I would love to go for a walk on the beach with you. 🙂 You seem to find fun wherever you go!
And I’d love to have you there, Keri. Fun is all around!
Oh, thank you for this ray of sunshine! I was visiting family in NZ in November, and we spent our last day on the beach in Auckland, splashing in the ocean and feeling the sand between our toes. We practically had to be dragged back to the airport to catch our plane back to our Canadian winter!
It seems to be getting pretty scorching hot in parts of Australia, though, a bit too hot for my blood (and pasty white skin)! Make sure you’ve got your sunscreen handy!
Thanks Jane. Luckily, my side of the country hasn’t had the absolutely blistering temperatures that the east have had.
Stay warm in Canada!