Childhood Beach

about children

the sky sunk low to the sea

wet towels slapping in the wind

young bathers;

sea-eyed and water-faced

with chipped front teeth

sinews taut under young skin...

and the ebb

that makes stones drift

between a child`s thighs

down the beach

down the beach

running into the dilute

a salt step crying

footprints lived short

as if just lost

shouts stolen by the wind;

time to go. 

Reviews

[Tina Kline]

A wonderful memory of childhood, fleeting just as childhood so seems to be. A very well written poem, skillfully done and creative!

[Rita L. Sev]

Childhood is so fleeting, but memories such as these vividly penned by you last a lifetime. Beautiful.

[Souladareatease]

wicked is the everyones nemesis...this was pure art!!!

[The Lost Poetry Files]

Brings back memories, yet I still love the seaside...

you write so well :)

[Ufi Auttorri ~ Amy C. T..]

Ominous, what one may read between the lines... the visions that come dancing, flickering between stanzas, between lines that reveal the deepest, darkest secrets of the inner psyche. The brush strokes, like finger prints, meet at critical junctures and align each word with its corresponding passion. How fortunate we call it poetry. Imagine other venues of interpretation where the proforma thoughts delegate unwanted villas in the style of a dark tomb. No beaches here. No wind or shouts of youthful laughter. "...time to go." Thankfully, this gallery is well-lighted and out of the weather. You are quite the artist, Leslie.

Thanks for the feeling of this one Leslie, for I felt at home again... :) and a child.
You write so beautifully, and you are able to capture moments, and all the feelings you put exactly and precisely down.

- Elisa

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

A good bit of imagery for a day at the beach. I often go to the beach, living on its doorstep, and in watching the children I am always amazed; there is a sense of wonder there that is truly breathtaking. I can remember the days when I would run straight into the water without fear of the cold or the waves...time has made me less courageous. Favorite part, the idea of the footprints being washed away by the water--short lived. Nicely done.

[Coyote Song]

Amazing writing. Your words bring the children in the poem to life. Fantastic poem!

[Onku Ghosh]

Down memory lane....sea-eyed and water-faced children with chipped front teeth......reminds me of our yester years when as kids we too played at the beach.Wonderful write!!!!Loved the lines--footprints lived short/as if just lost/ and---shouts stolen by the wind/

[Ken Simm.]

This is sweet memory. You are a master of the evocative with this well written piece.