At the Shore

an old bachelor sometimes remembers

Vast, foam in movement

Ignored aches almost forgot

the memory touch of fingers

two mouths in a smile.

Seeing across to where

the horizon beckons

moving away from memory

still, they stubbornly exist.

Time fades the edges

til they no longer cut

Distance can almost

let me ignore what might.

Older hearts have it easier

And yet, they still remember.

But what was need

is now just soft regret.

Do oceans get lonely?

Reviews

[Margie F]

Mark, I felt this one.

"Older hearts have it easier
And yet, they still remember.
But what was need
is now just soft regret."

I am curious how "older hearts have it easier."
As I've gotten older, my memories tend to sting a bit more, but maybe that is the soft (or not so soft) regret you point out. It sounds like I may need a trip to the coast to ponder this one a bit more. I hope your day is brighter with hopes of new memories free from regret.

[Mark]

The older I get the more higher level my perspective gets. Things that mattered greatly 20 years ago have lost the sense of importance I once gave them. For instance, my entire life my priority was to be a husband and father. I was both, but my wife was not the love of my life. Now, I can't imagine giving up my life as a bachelor for any woman. My perspective has changed.

[Margie F]

Ahh, truth! Beginning as children we are encouraged to chase the dream of family, and perhaps very important to the continuance of mankind that we do. I can't tell if we grow and know we are individuals and begin to need that independent experience, or if is a natural progression that some pursue while others ignore in an attempt to keep up appearances of a "strong relationship." Maybe we aren't intended to remain a single unit (2 people living as 1) for life. Lots of maybes to consider. I live free. I have to. It isn't always easy either, but I can breathe easier. Thank you for your reply.

[emmajoy]

' Seeing across to where - the horizon beckons - moving away from memory - still, they stubbornly exist.'

What remarkable emotions ooze from your beautiful words.. These are fragile feelings laid in soft language, phrases very worth remembering, ' Do oceans get lonely?'

Nodding.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think my dad wondered this after my mom passed. They were married 70 years.
Love this piece...memories abound.

[Mark]

Thank you Jacob. Most days I I am quite happy and content where I am. But once in awhile... Thanks for reading :)