Saltwater Shadows
Poem: When seaside living is just not meant to be
Must be so nice to live on the seafront I bet you walk on the beach daily Bare feet touching the slowly warming sand Avoid treading on treacherous seashells You'll love dipping your toes Into the salty sea, “they” said You’ll love the breeze and the wind blowing through your hair “They” didn’t tell me That the wind would be so forceful Smashing me against the building My scarf escaping, flying high in the sky In summer, the town comes alive Vivacious and vibrant, sparkling With smiles and seatings around To enjoy the traditional fish and chips As you do by the seaside. Uplifting to feel part of it As I walk amongst the many tourists Strolling or lying on the golden, sandy beach But "they" didn’t tell me That when everyone’s gone When winter looms Life can be lonely All social life extinct Sense of belonging gone Along with the last summer train Leaving an empty platform Watching with a feeling of loss Looking through one of the many windows To the sea and the gulls right before my eyes Diving and floating on the windy waves The storm thrashing against the concrete panes Shouting and shrieking, letting itself known Harrowing sounds now encompass everyday life At nighttime, music to drown out the rattling Living so close to the sea Why didn’t it feel more real? Should be absolutely ecstatic With a panoramic view to die for Why did I never feel at home? Did I try hard enough? Was it lockdown Preventing me from immersing myself Into town life on the coast? Maybe it's me. Maybe it's life Maybe I wasn't meant to be Content there, close to the sea Separated from friends and family. ©Caz.C.Cole