Franklin Street Pier
I was here, at the Franklin Street Pier,
when they tore that mother down.
Looked up and down the boardwalk,
and all I saw was frown.
Great granddad was here, Franklin Street Pier,
that very good year,
when they built the pier,
from the finest old-growth oak.
There was no peer, Franklin Street Pier,
"She'll last forever." They hawked.
"Have no fear... at least 500 year,
of that we have no doubt."
I thought with a tear, Franklin Street Pier,
of the day's dad and I fished in good cheer,
and I caught the shark of the year,
and won a great prize.
Of summers here, Franklin Street Pier,
where we swam in water so clear,
with no riptides to fear,
in the surf and the sun.
Build sand castles here, Franklin Street Pier,
and gathered seashells for fun.
Bonfires we built to sear hotdogs,
and gather around when the day was done.
In my teenage year, Franklin Street Pier,
lost my virginity after some beer,
under the pier, shielded from the sun,
but not from the fun.
The ocean grew near, Franklin Street Pier,
and ripped at your structure year-by-year.
Until I hear, talk, oh so painfully clear,
that you cannot be repaired like before.
I cried for you dear, Franklin Street Pier,
but you're no longer here,
while the sea and surf have no peer,
and the boardwalk is doomed to be next.
The handwriting is clear,
the ocean's rise is eminently near,
And the Franklin Street Pier,
will be followed by all of the rest.
Copyright 2013 © Ronald W. Hull
7/30/13
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"Grimm's Fairy Tales"
Ron, well done
Lady Vivian
Peace be with you
William
They tore its wooden structure from the shore
To let more ships on that Hudson river’s flow.
and left Sunday’s New Yorker’s, nowhere to go.
You, indeed, are a gifted man. I hope you have plans for publishing your work. You owe it to the rest of us.
Love ya!
Jane
L
There was a wonderful old Victorian pier in Brighton, England - where I grew up. It regularly featured in movies and dramas over the years. Sadly, that one too has fallen into the sea. It was such a widely loved landmark that it was all across the news and many people (including me) cried for its loss.
Rx