We hid from the dog, running between
still-boarded-up beach huts – smelling of resin,
watery sun and damp sand.
You signalled whilst dodging between
dunes and decking, barking directions
as I flattened myself thin as long
afternoon shadows, squeezing through
gorse or crouching behind pines.
Light played tricks: I saw you,
a blonde-ringletted three-year-old,
smiling, waving trophies of bucket and spade.
And as you rolled commando
beneath makeshift wooden steps,
you were suddenly grown, shoulders
too broad for school jackets
and feet too big to conceal.
Years of my life pounded their numbers
at the back of my throat. Badumm, badumming,
I could hear coming closer my dog’s padded paws
throbbing in deep sand…
So, here I am, Life,
still waiting for you to find me;
longing to hold you in my arms: tail wagging, a wet dog;
ready to pet you, to scratch your ears with pleasure
and with gratitude,
wondering if you will ever be more
than a shaggy-dog story.
An engaging, meaningful, metaphorical write, Kate. Your verses draw the reader in and elicit thought. Thank you for sharing this gift. Love and peace to you,
It is always an indeed pleasure to read such fine well written artistic work. I love coming out to my favorite den where you all inspire me so much every day. What I read share and know is such a wonderful view. Stay focused and always write on.
Reviewed by J M (Reader)
Reviewed on February 22, 2007
You Know Kate I so agree with Dai and the others. Life is happening all the time, we always seem to search to be found when we reach the place where we are content I think we have arrived at finding self from a spiritual point of view. The art, poem and tale here is done in your excellent style I have come to know you never leave us disappointed. XX Josie PeaceXX
nice reading you again!!
what a pleasure title and poem and picture
this takes you back as if the reader was there as well lots of great metaphors and lines
a real pleasurable read!!!!
Reviewed by Daibhidh MacAdhaimh
Reviewed on February 22, 2007
So, here I am, Life,
still waiting for you to find me;
Excellent yet ironic line - life is happening to us all the time yet we think it passes us by. Lennon sang, 'Life is what happens to you while we're busy making other plans' We push one way, life pulls us in another, either positively or negatively. Damn thing about life, isn't it? Never asks what we want, just hits us with options and without the common courtesy of telling us what the options are going to be.
'Years of my life pounded their numbers'
Another quirky and teaser of a line.
I spent years counting my daughter's. I could not wait unti she was 5, then 10, 15, 21, 25, and now she is past 30 I am wondering what she'll be like at 40 (If I am spared the years to see). Why do I count the waves of her life? I have enjoyed watching her mind develop: her social, domestic and political outlook. From the little kid who comes from a village where folk still point up at a passing plane, to the hard - bitten pragmatic woman she is now.
Yeah, figureatively speaking, life is certainly one long romp of a shaggy dog story.
Enjoyed the thoughts triggered by this reflection of longing.
I was right. There, romping beside you, feeling the wistfulness in beautifully illustrated lines...a sense of deep sadness in your words. Hope you're okay--know you're in my prayers.
A wonderful write my friend your imagery is outstanding, I was right there with you to the end....I've not had the opportunity to visit the beach other than vacation, this brings back some wonderful memories...great write!
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
This is amazing imagery! You had me hiding from the dog right from the start, not quite sure I like them or not...I guess I have met a few nice ones, but I think they smell my fear...your adjectives are superlative! "...thin as long afternoon shadows, squeezing through
gorse or crouching behind pines"...I used to do this! Squeezing myself between fence railings around the corral! The memories flow through my mind with this write! Oh! it is MORE than a shaggy-dog story!
What fun!
Thanks for sharing this Kate!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Awesome!! This reminds me of the Shaggy Dog movie. Tongue hanging out and romping like a three year old. This is definitely My kind of poetry.
Love,
Susan
Love the way this sweeps the reader into a sandy beach came of hide and seek, I can see the three year old smiling and hear his laughter on the air in pure delight. Time robs us of years but not of the beautiful memories the years create. Love this one sweet Kate. Truly well done.
Mary Angela Nangini's poems celebrate the richness of life and love. From the city to cottage-country and the roads in between, Nangini explores the changing seasons of her varied region. (This book will soon be reprinted in hard cover.)
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Cryssa
Thank You.
Aberjhani
Regis
I was enraptured by your imagery. Very, very nice!
Love from,
Sharon
what a pleasure title and poem and picture
this takes you back as if the reader was there as well lots of great metaphors and lines
a real pleasurable read!!!!
still waiting for you to find me;
Excellent yet ironic line - life is happening to us all the time yet we think it passes us by. Lennon sang, 'Life is what happens to you while we're busy making other plans' We push one way, life pulls us in another, either positively or negatively. Damn thing about life, isn't it? Never asks what we want, just hits us with options and without the common courtesy of telling us what the options are going to be.
'Years of my life pounded their numbers'
Another quirky and teaser of a line.
I spent years counting my daughter's. I could not wait unti she was 5, then 10, 15, 21, 25, and now she is past 30 I am wondering what she'll be like at 40 (If I am spared the years to see). Why do I count the waves of her life? I have enjoyed watching her mind develop: her social, domestic and political outlook. From the little kid who comes from a village where folk still point up at a passing plane, to the hard - bitten pragmatic woman she is now.
Yeah, figureatively speaking, life is certainly one long romp of a shaggy dog story.
Enjoyed the thoughts triggered by this reflection of longing.
Regards
Dai
Carmen
like that shaggy-dog story sometimes
needing something, what is it?
Love Tinka
I was right. There, romping beside you, feeling the wistfulness in beautifully illustrated lines...a sense of deep sadness in your words. Hope you're okay--know you're in my prayers.
ultimate compliment: wish I'd written this. :(
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
I got lost in the moment. Excellent imagery my friend.
Rusty
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
gorse or crouching behind pines"...I used to do this! Squeezing myself between fence railings around the corral! The memories flow through my mind with this write! Oh! it is MORE than a shaggy-dog story!
What fun!
Thanks for sharing this Kate!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Love,
Susan
When deliberately you do conceive
a poem of precious memories gone by
Of your loves; a child, a dog, a sigh
Love it... and every word. - Bill
Fee