I remember it well, but it certainly has changed...
Surrounded by water,
Of the salt variety,
A bridge at the end of forty-fourth,
A town of little notoriety…
Far from a city hustle & bustle,
We grew up with unlocked doors,
No fear of any trouble,
Swam, surfed & skied the ocean,
Never were we bored…
Like any town we had our own circle of friends,
But we knew everyone from the islands both ends,
Our bikes we did ride to another island to the south,
Knew what everyone did by word of mouth…
Ed, fortunately I still live here on technically an island that more people are discovering here in south Alabama. 30 miles of white sandy, mostly unspoiled beaches here in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to Perdido Key at the Alabama/ Florida line. It is getting more and more known all over the country. Still we locals have it mostly to ourselves from about September through February, so it is tolerable so far as I have my own little piece of paradise on the lagoon and fish out of my back door.
One day I may have to leave and also just be a visitor but hope not!
Dan
Progress does ruin our quaint home towns and fond memories of freedom. I don't remember the last time I left a door unlocked. But without progress, we wouldn't be posting our stories and poetry online for everyone to share.
Your poem reminds me of this town which is completely different in looks (and sadly character not for the better) from when it was when we first moved here in the summer of 1963. Back then, this was an agricultural community with mostly fields and cattle and such. Now, industry and commercial establishments, new subdivisions etc. I can relate, Ed. Love and peace,
How true. Nothing seems the same when we go back and revisit. Things are what they used to be. I guess we just have to go with the flow and be grateful for the memories that we do have, as you mention in this poem. John
The seashore has attraction for more than those that live there. Back in the days of your youth, few people have the wherewithal to head to the beach. And your beast was not as popular as, say Atlantic City or even maybe, Cape May. But progress as a way of allowing us to become much more mobile than we were back then, making your own little island oasis now a tourist attraction, too.
It reminds me of that rather innocent time that my cousin had a little cottage near the beach at Santa Cruz I enjoyed a couple of times. I recall that the boardwalk and amusement park were run down and not operating at that time. Resurrected by horror movies, I believe that facility is now back up and running.
Ron
Reviewed by D. Vegas (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2017
Progress is change but, not always for the better.
Yes. One of our biggest problems is over population. The biggest problem is the rich buying up every speck of property for development and greed. I would love to live in the wilderness.
Progress. my friend destroys some things, and opens up many things. No, for the most part, "We did not know then what we had," and that goes for many of us.
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One day I may have to leave and also just be a visitor but hope not!
Dan
Regis
It reminds me of that rather innocent time that my cousin had a little cottage near the beach at Santa Cruz I enjoyed a couple of times. I recall that the boardwalk and amusement park were run down and not operating at that time. Resurrected by horror movies, I believe that facility is now back up and running.
Ron
Always,
Deborah
Love ya!
Jane